
History of Atkins Library
The library was named for J. Murrey Atkins, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Charlotte College
from 1947 to 1963.
In 1946 when the University was founded as the Charlotte Center of the University of North Carolina, its library shared space in the library of Central High School, which was our host institution. The Central High library was in the middle of the school and that was where our library, Atkins was located, the center of campus.The location kept students in mind and modeled what the library stood for.
The Atkins Library collection now totals more than 1 million volumes
plus a number of microfiches, tapes, access to online journals and other materials. Construction
of a $20.5 million dollar library expansion was completed in Spring 2000. The expansion added
four stories to the front and back sides of the present structure and made the library the largest
in the Southern Piedmont region. Archives and Special Collections are on the 10th floor of the
Library, which provides a commanding view of the campus and northeast Mecklenburg County
with a view of the Uptown Charlotte skyline.Students have access to several computer workstations as well as access to
lending laptops with productivity software. Wireless access is available on all floors. In addition to computers, the library also provides hot spots for faculty, staff and students to check out.