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The Columbus Public Library and Reading Room was opened on March 4, 1873, in the reading room on the first floor of City Hall, with a collection of 1,500 books. [ 5 ] These included 1,200 from the Columbus Athenaeum (1853-1872), [ 6 ] 358 from Columbus's high school library, and 33 from its horticultural society. [ 7 ]
The first public library in Columbus, the downtown reading room on the first floor of City Hall, opened on March 4, 1873, and contained 1,500 books. [3] These included 1,200 from the Columbus Athenaeum (1853-1872), [4] 358 from Columbus's high school library, and 33 from its horticultural society. [5]
Columbus Public Library opened in the new city hall. 1907. Main Library opened, built with a gift of $200,000 from Andrew Carnegie. 1920.
- 1887 First Library
- 1912 Carnegie Library
- 1990 Renovation
- Swarthout Property
- Century Birthday
- Modern Renovations
- Addition of The Library Annex
- Community Support
- Awards and Honors
The Columbus community formed a library association on January 20, 1877, with the donation of 54 books from former Governor and Columbus City resident James Lewis. It was located in two rooms located over the former Griswold building and the current Sharrow Drug Store. at 100 S. Ludington Street. The library moved to the front two corner rooms of C...
The library was designed by master architects Louis W. Claude and Edward F. Starck in 1912. It achieved statewide architectural significance as one of the most original designs of a firm noted for its distinctive libraries. The library's one-story Prairie School design , built of stucco, wood, and brick, belongs in the general class of their Prairi...
The architectural firm of Noble Rose Architects was hired to keep the library historically accurate. It was renovated to include a new children's area, improved lighting, a relocated circulation desk, a meeting room with a kitchen, a handicapped-accessible entrance, and an elevator. Money from the city and donations from the community paid for the ...
The library board purchased the Swarthout property next door at 239 W. James Street in 1999 for future expansion. The house on the property was sold and moved in February 2002. A parking lot was installed on the site in the fall of 2013.
In 2012 the library celebrated its 135th anniversary since its founding and 100 years in the present building.
In May 2013, the library building’s interior was updated including new carpet, wall color, and signage to help modernize and brighten up the space. Seating and computer stations were added to the main floor and a Teen Lounge was created. Downstairs in the children’s department bright walls and colorful wall murals were added, shelving was reorganiz...
The City of Columbus purchased the property next to the parking lot at 251 West James Street in the fall of 2016. The purchase was made possible via a contribution from the City of Columbus, and private donations to the Columbus Public Library, including an anonymous donation from a Columbus Community member for $100,000. The structure on the prope...
The Friends of the Columbus Public Library group has supported the work of the Library over the years and continues to do so. One of the group's main fundraising activities was the establishment of the Bookstore located in the Library Annex. Funds raised by the Friends via the Bookstore and online sales of donated books have provided the means to p...
The library was added to the National Register of Historic Places and the State Register of Historic Places on November 15, 1990. Certificate of Appreciation on March 29, 1992, from the Columbus Historic Landmarks and Preservation Committee in recognition of the effort that had been made to maintain the building in keeping with its historic appeara...
Local History & Genealogy. Your space to discover your history. We have tools and resources to help you research your family tree, the house you live in, your ancestry and more. Plus book appointments to visit Main Library in person or talk to an expert online. DISCOVER YOUR HISTORY.
The Columbus Public Library was built in 1913 with funds provided by Andrew Carnegie. The building is listed on both the state and national historic register. An addition, built by Crossland Construction Company, was added in 1979 and housed the genealogical collection.
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Funded by the passage of a 2.2 mill levy in 1986, the expansion of Main Library public spaces began in 1987. There were two phases since buildings behind the library had to be torn down and the parking garage built. The new library expanded from 87,000 square feet to 255,400 square feet of much needed space.
