Columbus Metropolitan Library

The Franklinton Branch is not the place to go if you need a quiet place to work or study. It is louder than a restaurant both because of the setup and the staff. The children’s play area is directly behind the «quiet study» area. Additionally, the staff talks loudly and across the large room that encompasses the entire library. In an area of town where finding a quiet spot can be very difficult, it is unfortunate that the residents of this area are not afforded the opportunity for a space that facilitates work and study. This kind of chaos can be found so many places outside of the library, it is very disappointing not to find it inside the library. I have to several other branches and not encountered this situation.

Im there a few times a week. Im sure the library staff knows my face but not my name. Helpful, Friendly, Intellectual staff. Im sad to see the library go that I have grown up with and the removal of the storycove was a sweet goodbye. Im excited to see the library once its been renovated. Im sure it will bring more fond memories.

After having made use of the library many times since I first came, I can say it and the rest in the system are a wonderful resource!

last time I reviewed, I reviewed the physical Main Branch (which, PS, I like the rearranged Children’s section!) but this review is for the library system.
Oh Columbus Metro Libraries, I love you. I would write odes to you and pay extra taxes for you and sing songs about you. When I’m looking for an obscure comic book, you have it. When I want to rent a movie and there are 40 people in line, I still get it in a week. When I return books via the book slot and have maxed out my library card it’s like they are instantaneously back in the system and I can check out MORE books. You email me when my books are in, you email me when my books are due, you email me when they are overdue but don’t harrass me, and don’t look down on my disorganizedness when I rack up late fees.
Their app is great, the website is good, the downloading books via overdrive is just ok, but it’s no their fault! Seriously, we are sooooo lucky to have this library.

I love our library system. It’s diverse, it’s well-​stocked, it has great programs for students and job-​seekers. The newer branches are beautiful, and the main library has tons of great amenities. A+, Columbus.

The Library system in this town rocks, and the world knows it! That’s why it is yearly ranked as one of the best around, wining the top spot in 2010.
The main branch is just plain awesome. You can talk about the easy parking; you can talk about the great events; you can talk about the loads of books, DVD, Audio tapes, music, records; you can talk about the space, but what makes it great is the people. Always helpful, in love with their jobs, and knowledgeable, the full potential of this institution is in anyone’s grasp.
What would I have done without it? So many school paper, professional projects, personal family genealogies, journalistic research, and fun historical sleuthing of mine were helped by this place, its sister branches, and the helpful staff. I could not have went through college without it.
Add that they are part of the art scene; currently the colorful scenes of Aminah Robinson are adorning the staircase, memorializing Columbus’ black heritage and neighborhoods like Bronseville; add the vertigo inducing atrium with its neo-​classic design, and you get a place well ready for a feature film. It’s perfect for reading.
The building itself is a historical and architectural landmark. Funded by Andrew Carnegie in 1907, its marble and granite construction is a great example of the Roman Classic style being revived at the time.
If you have never visited do so. The staff will take all intimidation away, and they have everything you need. for work or play.

This is the best library I have been to. The staff have always been more than helpful. I am proud to live near this institution.

Took my 3 year old son here for the first time today and our experience exceded my expectations! First of all, the library is gorgeous inside and out and the staff I talked to were all really sweet and helpful since I was a little overwhelmed with the selection in the kids area. She really took her time to explain the layout and even helped me find all the books on my list. I also teach preschool in my home so I was getting books based on bird and frog themes — and part of the selection is already organized into themes (by holidays, environments, animals, etc) so that was awesome!
We literally spent over 2 hours just in the kids section where my son enjoyed everything they had to offer: age appropriate computer games, letter learning games and puzzles, comfy reading area, train and lego table, a pretend play camping area where he «fished for letters,» and his favorite was the large magnetic wall with letters & a coconut tree based from «chicka chicka boom boom.»
Also parking in the attached garage is crazy cheap. Paid $ 1 for 2.5 hours!
We will definitely be returning soon!

Great Library as I have enjoyed coming here numerous times. This was my first stop with the little one to test out the kid friendliness of the place. Perfect spot to take the little one while we wait for a spring thaw. The kid’s area is nice sized and allows them to play and be little bit louder. The kid area has a small kitchen, washer, table & chairs, puppet area, lego table, train table, and a few other interesting toy areas. It is pretty open with natural light seeping in. I wasn’t worried about her talking or making loud noises as the sound doesn’t carry and it is nice and open. They also have a nice little reading nook. The kid’s program area is off to the right when you walk in which also allows for noise to carry. One of the best spots to kill an hour downtown with a tyke. I also was there a few minutes under and hour so I parked for free in the garage.
They also have a good book selection as I picked up a perfectly located recommended book sitting in the kid’s area. Smart placement. I will be making another run here if this winter stays frozen.

The biggest library in our city. I love how you can go online and reserve materials to check out. They also allow e-​book check out for available titles. Their staff are very knowledgeable because they have helped me with research and projects. It is the perfect place to study. They have some study rooms you can use (if available). I used to do that when I did voluntary ESOL tutoring. If you are a library card holder you can log into their Wi-​Fi connection at any CML.
They offer computer classes, summer book reading for children, the Christmas train, and many other services. They have book drives frequently. You will find Javamaster (coffee shop) and their used book store inside. You should at least go once to see how it is!

The building itself is beautiful, though more so on the outside than on the inside, which I would call more functionally than aesthetically pleasing. Cheap parking, helpful staff, and a decent media collection contribute to make this a solid civic resource.
Unfortunately, as it is with almost every major urban center in this country, the main branch of this city’s public library system is a bastion for the city’s homeless. As Catherine J mentions, access for all is a great thing (I’m Canadian; I should know), but there’s also something to be said for having a space to read and work where I don’t have to smell the effects of inattention to personal hygiene all around me.

How did Columbus get so lucky to have such an amazing library system?!
This the main branch and it is appropriately beautiful and grand. I am looking forward to the expansion that was just announced.
Some of my favorite highlights:
— I have found really obscure, indie-​printed books here. If you want a book the library will order it for you. They figure that if you want to read it others may as well.
— The Holiday Train
— Free Community Meeting Space! Including an incredibly large room at this branch.
— Grant writing classes & other amazing programming
— Job help/​homework help/​general helpfulness
— Cute gift shop with cheap books for sale (and fabulous note cards)
— Downtown parking (yes, I have parked at the library for an event elsewhere. I prefer my parking money go towards books rather than parking companies.)
The best part is that the community really uses the library, meaning it can get busy sometimes but it does my heart good to see.

Libraries amaze me every time I go in them. I still can’t get over that you can walk in and borrow all this amazing media for $ 0.
The Main Branch is in a beautiful building– you’ll feel like you’re experiencing a bit of Columbus history while inside. Pair your visit with a stop to the nearby Columbus Museum of Art, and you have yourself a nice Saturday afternoon.
This branch boasts reasonable parking, café, and gift shop. The atrium is gorgeous– I remember walking in the first time when I was a child and being in awe of what «downtown» felt like. And then I checked out all the mummy books from the «grown up» section.
As an adult, I’ve been back to this branch from time to time, but now that I live nearby I will be here more often for sure. About 5 years ago I came in for a quiet place to study while I was on some sort of break, and was a bit overwhelmed by the homeless population while inside. I didn’t notice the issue on my more recent visit. Still saw some homeless but it didn’t feel like quite as much of a bus stop as last time. Access for all is a beautiful thing.
Speaking of, I saw a flyer for a GED program through the Metro Library. How cool is that? This place really does feel like an information hub for all walks of life.
I’m working on a particularly boring project at work right now, so I’ve been devouring audiobooks. The selection is outstanding. No more iTunes purchases at $ 27 a pop for me! I’ve also been trying to curtail my cookbook buying obsession, and there’s an amazing selection of cookbooks here, too (except I think I want to buy the cookbook I just borrowed…). Savin’ money, y’all.
Don’t know what you’re looking for? They have all these little curated groups of books on rounders. It could be grouped by topic, genre, or even cover art design (I saw a pretty display of red books for February). One rounder had a bunch of books mentioned by NPR. It gives you all the browsing thrills of being in a bookstore.
Oh! And you can choose the color of your library card from three different choices. Neato!

I absolutely love this library. I’ve been here many times, and I fall in love more each time I come. First, I love that there is parking even though it is downtown. It can be a huge pain to find parking anywhere near here, so having a parking garage is a huge plus!
The library is massive inside. There are three stories with books, computers, printers, study rooms, a homework help center, chairs to read and lots more. I’ve been lucky enough to get a study table (sometimes it can be hard to find an empty one) and it is so nice having a quiet room to study.
The selection of books is honestly amazing. The whole Columbus Metropolitan Library system makes it so easy to get any book you need. I have never NOT been able to find a book. I just cannot speak highly enough of the Columbus library system and this library in particular. Definitely stop by if you are downtown — You won’t be disappointed.

Great city library with a very local feel. What makes this library so fantastic (and what other major libraries should adopt) is the NO NAPPING RULE in the library. This has effectively limited the size of non-​users present in the facility, keeps it sanitary and long-​lasting.
Yes, I was studying for the GMAT in here and fell asleep, only to wake up to the librarian’s knock on my desk, explaining that I too, could not sleep here. It was pretty cool.
Most of the first floor is dedicated to the public computer room, which boasts 20+ computers for people, and this can really serve as a public benefit.
One last thing I loved was that a security guard regularly patrolled the facility, including the bathrooms. It’s worth the taxpayer money to protect the taxpayer money!
SAFE and CLEAN (for a major library). And generally, very quiet!

Been going here forever. Hadn’t been for awhile, though, till Sweetie took me for a date. Yes, we’re book nerds! It was great, and interesting to see the changes just in the last year or so. She hadn’t been since it was renovated in the ‘90s, so was eager to check things out. And she did– literally and figuratively…
Parking is easy (first hour is free too, I think.) Service is friendly and very helpful. Selection is great. It’s just welcoming overall; I could (and have) spend a day here. And leave with so many books my back hurts carrying them. There’s a little coffee shop and a bookstore, both handy.

Awesome. It has books!
And lots of other cool things too. A castle for kids to read things on. A staircase of many colors. Cool hanging-​from-​the-​ceiling things.
I wanted to play on the castle but I was afraid that I would be arrested because there was a police officer eyeing me suspiciously at I neared sweet children’s section, so i discretely read a book about a pig instead.
I like this place. I will read things here again. Perhaps a book about a cow next time.
I’ve been to quite a few libraries around the country and this ranks right up there.
Nice blending of old and new.
They’ve really kept up with all the changes the past decade while retaining a great sense of history.
This place makes me happy.

This main library has a good assortment of books, ranging from foreign, travel, fiction, to children’s. This establishment is apart of the national library consortium, so if you need a book and they don’t have it on hand, it can be requested, and shipped from another library.
I’ve only had positive experiences at our library! The staff (a lot are volunteer) are always polite and helpful. I seem to find myself asking them for suggestions, every so often.

If I could live in a library, it would be this one. It’s huge, and it has EVERYTHING. I have been going to the Main Library on field trips, for school project research, and for personal enjoyment since I was six, and I still haven’t fully explored it. I have yet to find a speck of dust anywhere in this place, either. I swear it’s so clean, you could probably eat off the floors.
As the family genealogist, I can tell you right now that this is the perfect place to start and/​or continue research if you’re researching your family tree. If this is your thing, the third floor will be your home away from home. I’ve attended their genealogy workshops and found 2 – 3 ancestors and/​or their children/​siblings in the course of each workshop.
Every section is stocked full. If something’s not in, they’ll order it from another library. If memory serves, they’re part of the OhioLINK network, but I’d check with the circulation desk first to be sure. If they are part of the OhioLINK network, then you can request a book from another library outside of the CML network. Just be sure to check.
They have resume writing workshops. Heck, they have workshops for everything, but with the economy being what it is, if you need help writing your resume, take advantage of it. All of their workshops bring in professionals from around the city, sometimes across the state, and occasionally from around the country. Keep an eye on their calendar of events. I promise there will be something that catches your interest.
Their coffee stand is really nice. If you’re spending an entire day at the library, the coffee stand will provide you with some fuel to keep going. Their little gift shop has a lot of stuff for bookish, nerdy types like me (and other regular patrons), and both the coffee stand and the gift shop support the library.
The staff here knows their stuff, and they see people from all walks of life. They’re very helpful, always polite, and they’re usually pretty friendly. They’ll check up on you every now and then and stay out of your way the rest of the time.
The aesthetics of this place leave me breathless every time I come here. The face of the original building is still largely intact. It’s been worked beautifully into the modern building. You get a sense of history, almost like you’ve gone back in time if you come in through the front door. I think other patrons get that same sense, because it’s so quiet and peaceful here, as if they’re also paying homage to patrons and workers of past.
Bookstores and libraries are my ideal work environment, and if I could work here, I would. I’ve been here at all hours of the day and the patrons, even the kids, are very respectful. Even the people and kids who don’t look like much know and respect the rules.
The other libraries in the CML network are nice, but this is the original. This is where it’s at. If someone gives the Main Library three stars or less, they don’t know what they’re talking about. This is my home-​away-​from-​home, and just going by the other reviews, it seems that’s true for a lot of other Unilocalers, too.

Contrary to popular belief, I actually can read and love going to the library!
The downtown library, that is. Here’s why I love this place:
* Parking — the parking garage is connected to the library, and it’s free for the first hour!
* Hours — they’re open until 9 on weeknights (M-​Th), and that’s not too shabby for a place that’s free.
* Staff — they are incredibly helpful and never pass judgment on me for lost books and magazines.
* Ease of operation — seriously, this place is made for people like me; it’s almost impossible not to understand how this library works: big, colorful signs, super-​simple electronic look-​up thingies, and a great layout.
* Selection — I am enamored by the selection here! Then again, I am from a town of 5,000 people where the library was pretty much an extension of the Southern Baptist Church.
* Anonymity — You can check out everything electronically and never have to feel the shame of someone’s disappointing glances at your questionable reading material.
So, go to the library. Get a book. Get a magazine. Learn something!