Construction of new Gahanna library branch begins, with opening expected in early 2023

Demolition of the Gahanna branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library is complete, and work has begun on the new $20.5 million building at the same site at 310 Granville St.

Ben Zenitsky, the library system’s marketing and communications specialist, said underground utilities are being installed and the foundational slab itself is expected to be in place by the end of the week (Jan. 21).

Concrete masonry cores that will house the stairs and elevator are complete, and steel installation is expected to begin by the end of January, he said.

Zenitsky said the new library, estimated to open in early 2023, will be about 35,000 square feet, an increase from the former facility’s 21,400-square-foot building.

Nate Oliver, manager of the Gahanna branch, said the library is continuing to offer services at a temporary location in the Hunter’s Ridge Shopping Center at 310 Hamilton Road while the new building is under construction.

“We feel fortunate that the space was available at the time we closed the former branch,” he said. “The temporary location is very close to our library site, is fairly large, has ample parking and is conveniently located to other shopping. Many customers have shared how convenient it is to pick up books and groceries.”

Oliver said customers are visiting to pick up books on hold, browse displays of new books and find great reads on the shelves.

He said the temporary site also is a COVID-19 test-kit distribution location for the community.

Currently, however, the demand is greater than the supply, so Oliver suggests checking the website at columbuslibrary.org, chatting with staff using a new chat feature (upper-right corner of the website) or calling 614-645-2275 to check kit availability.

Oliver said customers continue to use curbside service, which is in the back of the Hunter’s Ridge mall, and 24/7 drive-up book drop is available in the back, as well.

As a result of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Zenitsky said, the library’s entire volunteer program was suspended for quite some time, and it’s slowly regaining steam.

Because the Gahanna branch is in a smaller temporary space with slowed customer traffic, he said, the library isn’t looking for Gahanna volunteers at this time.

“Once the new building opens and the pandemic wanes, we hope there will be more volunteer opportunities,” Zenitsky said.

Amy Fleer, a 10-year library volunteer, said she’s helping at the temporary site about twice a week and said patrons can expect the same great service.

“I think people are surprised that our temporary location is as large as it is,” Fleer said. “It is working out well. I know the amount of books people reserve has increased just because we don’t have room for the amount of books as before.”

Fleer, a Blacklick resident, said she has seen the new plans for the library and thinks it looks great.

“I will be very excited when the new building opens up,” she said. “People seem excited for the new branch.”

Oliver said the new library will double the size of the children’s area, with a larger collection of books, plus a dedicated space for Ready for Kindergarten storytimes and programs.

“We’ll have a School Help Center twice the size of our previous one,” he said. “We’ll have a large space dedicated for teens with programs just for them.”

Oliver said the new library also would have three large meeting rooms for community use that could be converted into one very large room and nine smaller, enclosed study rooms for two to four people.

“There will be a large quiet room and a large quantity of study seating throughout the second floor,” he said. “These spaces will offer incredible views of Granville Street on one side and the beautiful tree line surrounding Rocky Fork Creek on the other.”

Oliver said the first floor would be dedicated to young minds, with the second floor dedicated primarily to adults and spaces for quiet study and reading.

Another feature will be a convenient drive-up book drop and drive-up window for customers to pick up holds.

Oliver said the new facility would feature incredible architecture, and lead architect Michael Suriano is a Gahanna resident.

“He and his team at NBBJ did an amazing job designing this building," he said. "I can’t wait for the community to see it and experience it.”

Oliver said the Gahanna branch is able to offer a little of almost everything in the temporary space, but on a smaller scale.

“There are a few programs, like technology training classes and programs for teens, that we cannot offer at this time, but we hope to resume all of our popular programs in the new building,” he said. “With a building twice the size of our former space, the new branch will allow us to offer so much more.”

Because the library system was down 160 employees – from about 870 employees to 710 in November 2021 – a decision was made to close Gahanna and other Columbus Metropolitan locations on Sundays, according to Oliver.

“Two months later, we’re making progress, but we still have many more positions to fill system-wide, and we remain closed on Sundays,” he said. “We hope to reopen on Sundays as soon as possible.”

mkuhlman@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekMarla

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Columbus Metropolitan Library Gahanna branch construction underway