Libraries focus on community
This pandemic has been extremely difficult for our community, but particularly for those most vulnerable among us.
However, it has also reinforced what we have always known to be true: that public libraries are more than just a home for books; they are community centers that provide critical information – referrals for health and social services, unemployment assistance, volunteer opportunities and more – not to mention broadband internet access to the one-fifth of Franklin County households that remain unconnected.
This month, Columbus Metropolitan Library will open two newly rebuilt libraries: our Karl Road branch in Northland on Sept. 9 and our Hilltop branch on Sept. 30 – both following brief 3:30 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
These new buildings serve as reinvestments in these two evolving communities and as a reminder of our core vision: a thriving community where wisdom prevails.
We recognize that achieving this vision will require a renewed focus on supporting our young minds as they navigate the academic challenges wrought by this pandemic. It will also require a fundamental shift in our services as we work to help our community recover.
When you enter these new branches, you will see firsthand how these commitments have guided their design. Expansive children’s areas will offer robust collections and more space for programs, story times and activities.
Ready for Kindergarten areas will help preschoolers and their families prepare for the classroom. Larger School Help Centers will serve K-12 students who come to the library for after-school assistance. Plus, larger teen areas connect teens with books, technology and staff to help them discover interests that could lead to future passions or careers.
Adult customers will have access to public computers, as well as meeting rooms and study rooms that are free to reserve. Dedicated Learning Labs will offer free classes in business, technology and English language. Specially trained staff will also be available at both locations to provide Job Help services, assisting adult customers with resume writing and job applications, as well as filing unemployment claims and other needs.
Over the past decade, we have worked to renovate or rebuild 10 of our 23 library locations in Franklin County to better meet the changing needs of our customers. This included a major transformation of our main library Downtown. These reinvestments would not be possible without the overwhelming support we received in 2010 when Franklin County voters approved our last ballot measure by a margin of more than 2-1. Because of your support, and our team’s fiscal stewardship, we were able to extend this building program to include four more branches. In addition to Karl Road and Hilltop, we also broke ground earlier this summer on a new branch for Gahanna, and planning is well underway for a new Reynoldsburg branch.
Each new branch reflects the unique needs of the neighborhood it serves, but you will notice consistent themes in all of them: broad and transparent views, flexible design, updated technology and larger spaces to meet and gather.
Something that will not change, however, is the passion and commitment of our tremendous staff. We know that without them, these spaces are merely walls, computers and books.
I hope you’ll join us as we cut the ribbon on these new civic centerpieces. Your family can sign up for library cards, check out books and see and experience our vision for a 21st-century library, designed to welcome and inspire. Together, we will move closer to realizing our vision of a thriving community where wisdom prevails.
Patrick Losinski is CEO of Columbus Metropolitan Library.