Photos by Randi Walle.

While it may not look like much now, come late June the Main Library will be fully functioning, happily serving the residents of Central Ohio once again. The 255,400 square-foot building has been under renovation since February of 2015, and has been entirely closed to the public since April 2015. Much progress has been made since our construction tour last October, and the building is finally starting to have recognizable features. While no furniture has appeared yet, light fixtures and book shelves have started lining the space.

The main branch of the Columbus Library is part of the system’s Aspirational Building Program as one of ten buildings undergoing either renovation or relocation. Even though the building itself did not gain square footage, the space feels much larger than before. Prior to the renovation, much of the library was closed off to the public as staff space. Now, the staff space has been relocated to various nooks throughout the building, providing more space for the public to enjoy. Walls were removed, windows were installed, and doorways were enlarged to allow a more open, inviting feel to the library as a whole.

Not much change took place in the century-old Historic Carnegie Building, except for making it more accessible to the public. One major goal of the renovation was to connect the newer atrium with the historic hall. The Friends of the Library store and café space were previously located in the Carnegie Building, and have been relocated to what was formerly public computer space.

Although there are significant changes through the majority of the building, the renovation focused on four main elements: the front lawn and porch, children’s area, connection with the Topiary Park, and the Grand Reading Room.

To create a more welcoming front porch, most of the preexisting cement was removed, and the front lawn space was raised up off of street level for new landscaping. A returning feature is the Peter Pan fountain, which was donated to the library in the 1920s. The new curb appeal will lead guests into the new atrium, which offers a spectacular view of the new library space. Previously walled off and uninviting, the new atrium contains balconies on the second and third level opening into the extended first floor, and windows all around the area provide natural light. Another returning feature is the mural by Aminah Robinson, a local artist who was commissioned by the library during the 1991 renovation to paint a mural on the staircase in the atrium. Robinson drew her inspiration from the Near East Side neighborhood where she grew up, and that is visible in her pieces “Life in Sellsville” and “Life in the Blackberry Patch” featured in the library. The pieces were preserved from the old staircase and will be added to the new one leading up to the second level.

The second major project was the children’s area. The story time space was moved from a room in the corner to be front and center, aiming to draw guests in and make them feel welcome. A new line of windows was installed allowing a view of the helicopter landing pad at Grant Hospital across the street. Another feature added is the “Ready for Kindergarten” space, where preschool children can learn the basic skills they need to begin kindergarten confidently, such as how to hold a book, reading from left to right, and other general reading knowledge.

Connecting the library with the adjacent Topiary Park was the project that inspired the renovation. The parcel of land in back of the library previously belonged to the old deaf school located next door. When that building went up for sale in 2013, the library quickly purchased the space, and resold it to the Cristo Rey Catholic College Prep School, holding onto the land behind the library. The existing parking lot was removed, allowing for a patio space to be added to the library. The greenery from the library will now extend to the Topiary Park, allowing for a connection between the two spaces.

Lastly, the library is adding the Grand Reading Room. With limited seating previously available to the public, the library lacked a comfortable, inviting space for guests to linger. The Grand Reading Room, which can accommodate up to 800 people cathedral style, is bound to become one of the more popular areas in the new library. High ceilings, walls of windows, and comfy seating will entice guests to grab a snack at the café and hang out for a while. The space will also be used for public speaking events from authors.

Other great features that will exist are a new teen area, twice as many meeting rooms, a digitization room, and an over-all updated feel. With the new walls of windows offering a great view of the Columbus skyline to the west and the Topiary Garden to the east, there is no room in this building that will not draw guests in.

The Main Library’s grand re-opening will take place on June 25th, and a lineup of events for that weekend are sure to draw a crowd. Saturday there will be a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a grand opening celebration and a jazz concert in the park. At dusk, the library will show The Lorax movie in the park as a kick off to the Topiary Park Summer Movies. Sunday, Author David Baldacci will give a talk in the Grand Reading Room.

For more information, visit www.columbuslibrary.org.

Photos by Randi Walle.