Archives & Special Collections

Each Athens Regional Library System branch holds catalogued, non-circulating local history and genealogical materials. They can be found within the PINES catalog; this includes materials in the Heritage Room, the Ivy Room, and other libraries. If you have any questions about these materials please contact the Archives & Special Collections Department via email.

Book & Microfilm Collection >

The Athens-Clarke County Library Archives & Special Collections preserve and make available unique records of enduring value related specifically to the history of Athens and Clarke County’s individuals, families, organizations, institutions, and select local government agencies. These primary sources include not only textual and special media records—such as maps, photographs, sound recordings, oral histories, and moving images—but also art and artifacts, rare book collections, manuscripts, architectural drawings, and textiles.

Finding Aids >

In recent years, the Athens-Clarke County Library became one of a select few public libraries across the nation chosen by the Internet Archive to participate in its Community Webs project. Archives & Special Collections librarians identify websites to be preserved for posterity, then “crawl” the websites so that their contents can be saved. Explore this modern day collection of history at Archive-It.

Archived Local Websites >

The Heritage Room played a crucial role in the scanning of the entire run of Flagpole, Athens’ weekly newspaper, available at the Georgia Historic Newspapers database. This is just one component of our diverse and always-growing print periodicals collection, which includes back issues of Athens Magazine, Boom Magazine, Foxfire, the Georgia Journal, the United Free Press, Zebra Magazine, the local Chamber of Commerce newsletter, and student publications from Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals high schools, among others.

Historic Newspapers >

The Archives & Special Collections Department in the Heritage Room offers free 55 minute research and scanning consultations with one of our Library Specialists. Patrons who need individualized assistance with:  

• Local History Research
• Genealogy Brick Walls
• Digitizing photos, slides, negatives, or other materials 

…can book online via the Heritage Room Appointments page.

The Archives and Special Collections Department offers reference services in order to assist with genealogy, local history, and southern history projects. Depending upon the nature of the request expert staff will guide researchers to resources and materials. Generally staff need date ranges, names, locations, or specific resources in order to assist with reference requests, when this is not possible we are able to provide more in depth research for a fee. Contact us via email or phone (706) 613-3650 ext. 350 to learn more.

Explore the variety of history and genealogy events offered throughout the Athens Regional Library System region. Register for events, check for upcoming classes, or share author events with others at our online calendar.

History & Genealogy Events >

Devour local history content, genealogy research tips, and research guides via the Archives & Special Collections blog, Athens: In Time. Make sure you subscribe!

Athens: In Time >

The Heritage Room at the Athens-Clarke County Library

The Ivy Room at the Oconee County Library

Madison County Library

Oglethorpe County Library