Columbus Metropolitan Library – New Albany Branch

Seriously– I haven’t reviewed this yet? This was my home branch!
Nice open plan, airy entry. Parking is slightly odd since it’s at a commercial hub; park on either side.
Good selection, plenty of computers, and friendly staff. I used to go several times a week; now I’m lucky if it’s every six months. But I still love this branch, and have great memories of hanging out here. My favorite place in New Albany.
Support your library! Whether it’s a book or an ebook, check something out soon!

Books anyone…
I must also say that the children’s story time is the very best. His name is Mr. Dave and he should call him self a super kid loving guy.

I’m not a huge fan of libraries (they bring back terrible memories of high school/​college studying! Ack!). I used to frequent this library when I was teaching Preschool (for a private school in the area that i would NEVER send my own future children to). Anyways, the ladies at the help desk are just that, helpful. I don’t like the layout of the children book section, it was nearly impossible to find the books I was looking for, without asking one of the helpful ladies at the help desk. Maybe I’ll go by and rent a movie one of these days. Its a shame really, the only books I read now are downloaded into my Kindle.

And I am perplexed because Ohio has the best library systems in the country, and Columbus Metro is exceptional, but here’s the thing: the «convenience» (convenient for who?) of having an unnecessarily large library footsteps away from you is lovely but what was that thing about separate being inherently unequal?
They can defend themselves until their fingers bleed from responding to my emails but when you have certain branches that carry a book or two by an author like Alice Walker, because the demand for authors like her in certain branches is not as high as it is in the cubbyhole branches where the board of executives of the CML have concluded negroes are more likely to visit and put books by their people there and give New Albany all the Sophie Kinsella the racks can handle, then Jesus.
Because this library has really heavy traffic for it being in a suburb the size of a teaspoon but it is right by a Starbucks and a restaurant and rack-​browsing is a thing and that’s when it is really a beautiful convenience to have a large library footsteps away. But the board of executives seems to be perpetuating their own ideas of What Is In Demand by sending Certain Books to Certain Branches, when there is not ONE copy of a Pulitzer Prize winning book written by a black author at this branch, I can’t be anything but perplexed.
So the library system is wonderful. If you live in the right suburb, the building will be beautiful, you’ll have easy access to a computer, and plenty of space to study or read. And if you live in the wrong suburb, the parking will be awful, the building will be a tragedy, you will wait in a line for an hour to use a computer for a fifteen minutes, but you will have a lovely selection of books by Certain Authors, though whether or not you’ll have the heart to read them after being reminded by the library of your societal invisibility, of the shithouse building that is directly reflective of the hell in which you live, I can’t say.
So how many stars do you give that? I don’t know.

Toddler storytime at this branch of the CML is one of the highlights of my 19 month old daughter’s week. At any other time, you can find reference librarian Ryan sitting behind a desk looking normal, maybe a bit bookish. But at toddler storytime, Mr. Ryan and his guitar, puppets, books and stories are the rockin’ heroes of a wild band of little ones and mommies!
Seriously — he’s great. His songs, guitar playing and puppets are all completely awesome. And I love how he puts his guitar and props away, then goes quietly back to his mild mannered librarian existence after storytime is over. It’s like having a double identity: Storytime Man! So, here’s to you Mr. Ryan, aka Storytime Man. Thanks for your great tunes and stories — we can’t wait for Wednesday* morning.
*As always, check the CML website at
for storytime options and times.

Just like most things in New Albany, the library is kept up very nicely, and it has a brand new feel to it when you walk in the door. It’s not huge compared to some of the other libraries around, but as part of the bigger library system they are able to ship in any book that the library has available within a day or two.
Their toddler storytimes are a big reason that we visit this branch, and though my son finds them enjoyable, I do have to say that at least one of the people leading the story hour doesn’t seem to be very comfortable around children. We come to New Albany because it’s the closest and because it’s very clean, but as far as the friendliness of that particular staff set goes, you have better luck at the Gahanna branch.

I’m a bookworm so I love libraries. This is the closest branch to me so I usually visit a few times a month. The location is nice with loads of parking. Starbucks, Rusty Bucket and a few shops are also on the square. I would avoid the area when school is released since the entire school seems to flock here.
One thing I don’t like is this branch is constantly changing where and how new books are displayed. After visiting today I learned a homework help center is being added. I’m all for this since the tables in the fiction section are usually full of students and tutors.
Overall, nice facility and friendly staff make this location A-​OK.

Most recently without access to the Internet. I had to venture to the New Albany Public Library. They have 16 computers. Most of the time easy accessibility and your permitted an hour 3x a day. That’s a lot of Internet time and more than anyone can use in a day; unless your addicted or have a research paper to write.
It’s quiet, as most library’s are with ample books, music and DVDs. Customer Service and Information always at hand to answer any questions.