Libraries to open in Gahanna, Powell as Columbus celebrates sesquicentennial
Fans of public libraries will have plenty to celebrate in March, and it all begins this weekend with the 150th birthday of Columbus Metropolitan Library.
Today's system of 23 locations — many with gleaming, glass-encased entrances — dates to the late 1800s reading room in Columbus' first City Hall, now the Ohio Theatre.
But it's been within the past 10 years that area libraries have had their most striking makeovers, including a $35 million remodeling of the flagship Main Library completed in 2016.
The sesquicentennial will celebrate the growth and vitality of a system that has shifted from warehouses for books to extensions of government and social services.
On Saturday, there will be family-friendly activities, performances, prizes and refreshments at all of the branch libraries except Marion-Franklin, which is closed then. All of this serves to kick off a year of author visits and special events.
More about events:Columbus Metropolitan Library kicks off 150-year anniversary
Additionally, on Saturday morning, the library system will open its new Gahanna Branch with a brief dedication ceremony at 9 a.m.
"This is a big one," library spokesman Ben Zenitsky said of the new Gahanna branch. "It takes on a new meaning for the city.
Gahanna's original branch opened in 1991 and had been squeezed by growth.
"Thirty-two years might not seem like a lot, but think of how the city has changed, the demographics and the growth," Zenitsky said. "Architecturally, I would liken it to our Dublin branch. Similar floor plan and look and feel."
Architects NBBJ created three structures joining as one "that represent the three creeks of Gahanna," Zenitsky said.
Gahanna is a Native American term for three-in-one, said first-term Mayor Laurie Jadwin, who is thrilled to reach this point, recalling delays in construction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We were told it was put on hold, that people weren't coming to the libraries," she recalled. When Columbus library CEO Pat Losinski called to tell her it was back on schedule, "I was so exited because I know what it means to this community. It's not just a building. It offers access to resources to reading, to learning, to connecting, to growing."
The Gahanna branch is one of the most popular and heavily used branches, according to the library. It serves the city of almost 36,000, but also Jefferson and Mifflin townships.
Similar to Bridge Park's proximity to the Dublin branch, Gahanna's parks and recreation department has plans for a creek-crossing bridge leading to multiuse trails, calling it "Link to Literacy," Jadwin said.
Ten branches have been rebuilt or renovated as the result of the 2012 sale of public library notes, resulting in more than $92 million. That, combined with operational savings, wide public support and donations kicked off a second phase of new buildings.
In 2019, the library sold an additional $40 million in notes. And a year later, the library's board of trustees approved the refinancing of $53 million of the original outstanding notes to take advantage of lower interest rates. That, they said at the time, would save taxpayers more than $13 million over the next 18 years.
In the future, Columbus is replacing the Reynoldsburg branch next year and plans to renovate both the Barnett and Linden branches shortly after, Zenitsky said.
Read more: Re-financing of library debt saves taxpayers money
The library will continue celebrating its 150th birthday throughout the year with a variety of events and programs, including:
"Bridgerton" author Julia Quinn speaking at Main Library on Sunday.
The Columbus Book Festival, held at Main Library and Topiary Park on July 15-16, featuring national and local authors, vendors and programs.
Sesquicentennial Passport, a program for all ages giving participants a booklet at any Columbus Metropolitan Library location starting Saturday, encouraging them to complete activities around the city to earn stamps and prizes.
Partner Days, in which customers’ library cards give them extra savings throughout the library system's 150th birthday year. A variety of free or discounted opportunities are listed on the library's website.
Delaware County's Liberty branch to open
And if that's not enough, Delaware County District Library will open its long-awaited Liberty branch in Powell on March 26 from 1-4 p.m.
Located at Home and Steitz roads, just west of Olentangy Liberty High School, the 42,000 square-foot, three-story building was funded, in part, by a 2018 renewal levy. The branch will be home to about 60,000 books, DVDs, music CDs and other media. It has more than 100 parking spaces.
But more than that, it will be a community hub and treasure, said Andrew White, Powell city manager.
"This is going to be a significant investment for a great public service ... to offer new amenities and various forms of entertainment," he said.
The city and Liberty Township have plans to connect the branch to new developments via multiuse trails.
Delaware's much smaller Powell branch, about five miles south of the Liberty branch, will remain open as a "satellite" branch, officials have said.
dnarciso@dispatch.com
@DeanNarciso
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Metropolitan Library celebrates 150 years with Gahanna branch
