While not supporting one particular location over another for the site of the new library, the Directors of the Friends of the Alpharetta Library (FOTAL) have put forth this position paper concerning what we feel to be important criteria needed to be considered in order to choose the most appropriate location for the proposed new library.

The Friends of the Alpharetta Library (FOTAL) organization unanimously supports the following recommendations concerning the location of the new library proposed to be built in Alpharetta. ?The Friends of the Alpharetta Library believe that the library is a cornerstone of our community and that its ultimate location should be one that contributes to the vibrancy of Alpharetta. It is our position that for this to be accomplished the future location of the new Alpharetta branch must offer certain characteristics:

• The library’s location must be a pedestrian-friendly location that is within the Downtown Alpharetta business district; defined as being bordered to the south by Old Milton Parkway, to the east by Haynes Bridge Road, to the north by Mayfield Road, and to the west by Wills Road.
• The site should be either located west of State Route 9 / Main Street or be located in close proximity to State Route 9 / Main Street so as to best serve patrons in those areas of the community who would otherwise be underserved by other system libraries due to their location east of that highway corridor.
• The location should not be isolated from surrounding neighborhoods, schools and businesses, should not totally require patrons to travel by car in order to enjoy the library, and should benefit from multiple access roads; thus, the library would contribute to the functionality of community infrastructure.
• The library should be located in such a manner as to add value to and benefit from surrounding properties and nearby developments.
• The site must have adequate parking that is safe and convenient. To avoid negative impacts on nearby residential properties, the site would ideally be able to leverage shared parking with proximate businesses and public facilities.
• The facility and site should be environmentally sound and require a minimum of grounds maintenance; thus, allowing for maximum focus of finances on delivery of library services to the public.

FOTAL maintains that only through a location that meets these criteria can the Atlanta Fulton County Library Board truly meet the needs of the community and citizens to be served by the new Alpharetta Branch.

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