Grandview Heights Public Library has been recognized as one of the best public libraries in the country by Library Journal, and based the amazing work they do for their community, it is easy to understand why. Director Ryan McDonnell and his staff are innovative and service oriented, collaborative and future thinking.
The library serves 27,000 cardholders from Grandview Heights and the greater Columbus area. Canaan Faulkner, public relations manager and adult programs/web content coordinator, describes the community as having a small town feel with metro-minded individuals.
McDonnell encourages his staff to think big and share their ideas. The commitment to innovation has led the way for exciting programs and offerings. In June of 2015, the library created and launched their pop up library. The first of its kind, it is an electric-powered mobile library which visits local festivals, markets and events. The cart features materials relevant to the event and offers visitors the option to check out books, pay fines, sign up for library cards and enjoy free Wi-Fi.
Last summer, the library began it’s wildly successful guitar lending program. Library customers can borrow guitars and learning materials. Local music store Musicology offers free classes and the Guitar House Workshop partners to provide maintenance to the instruments.
Collaboration is key to the library’s success. The library works with the city to provide free Wi-Fi at local parks, sports fields and the swimming pool. They partner with schools to support the school district’s 1:1 Computing Initiative, and a strong feeling of community support exists throughout the library. Local businesses are featured in display cases, local art hangs on the walls and partnerships with community businesses allow for special programs like the Library Foundation’s annual Chocolate Walk fundraiser.
The commitment demonstrated by Grandview Heights Public Library to serving its customers in new and exciting ways, both inside the building and beyond, is a stunning example of how public libraries can continue to act as fixtures in the communities they serve.
Columbus Metropolitan Library embarked on an amazing renovation of the Main Library building earlier this year. The library closed its doors and began the enormous project of transforming the beautiful and beloved building into a more welcoming, open and functional space. The Main Library, a Carnegie library, first opened its doors in 1907. The library has undergone five renovations since its opening, the last, completed in 1991 expanded the footprint of the building. This newest renovation will not increase the library’s square footage, but has been thoughtfully designed to create new open spaces, additional community meeting rooms and better access from outdoors.
Library Director of Marketing Gregg Dodd explained the reason for the renovation succinctly: libraries used to be about collections, now they are about connections. The renovation follows Columbus Metropolitan Library’s guiding principals of new buildings, which include transparency, flexibility, sustainability and customer experience. These principals are evident through the use of space, light, and technology within the building and in the system’s other projects (Whitehall, Parsons, Northern Lights, Shepard and Northside).
Dodd and Project Manager Fred Brock provided insight into the project, offering a sneak peek at the library, which is midway through the transformation. The entry area of the library has been opened up to create a larger space. The removal of the large staircase and transformation of the library’s back wall from brick to glass will provide a clear view from the front doors through to the new plaza and fountain at the rear of the building. The children’s space will feature a presentation area in the round to allow more visitors access to programs. Walls, both inside and out will be replaced with glass to create a brighter, more open environment. Additional meeting rooms and easily movable furniture will allow spaces to be transformed to optimize space for visitors needs. A breathtaking two-story reading room offers a beautiful view of Topiary Park and capacity for 700 seats, ideal for large programs. The changes all serve to offer better service to visitors and bring more people in to the library.
On June 25, 2016, the Main Library will celebrate their grand reopening. Visitors are invited to join in the celebration, which will feature live music, an outdoor movie and a visit from a famous author.
The Wagnalls Memorial is a wonderful, Central Ohio resource just outside of Columbus in Lithopolis, Ohio. The stunning building was dedicated in 1925 by Mabel Wagnalls as a tribute to her parents, Adam and Anna. The Wagnalls were from Lithopolis, and Adam was co-founder of the famous encyclopedia publisher, Funk & Wagnalls. Inspired by Mabel’s travels in Europe, the Memorial is a gorgeous Tudor-Gothic structure built from locally quarried stone. Visitors can experience the Memorial’s rich history through a unique tour conducted by Mabel Wagnalls actor, Carol Gaal.
Mabel, an accomplished pianist, writer and heir to her parents’ fortune, chose to honor her parents by providing an exceptional space for the people of Lithopolis. She was inspired to build the Memorial after traveling and seeing the Carnegie libraries in the eastern U.S. Deciding that a library was not enough, Mabel had the foresight to envision the library as a community center. She added a theatre and banquet hall to the building for all the people of Lithopolis to enjoy.
The interior of the library, preserved as it was originally designed, contains the library’s original bookshelves as tables as well as Mabel’s beautiful Steinway grand piano. The library is decorated with hand-carved crests and symbols honoring the values of the Wagnalls family. Artwork by Norman Rockwell, J.F. Kernan, F.X.Leyendecker and John Ward Dunsmore grace the walls, and cases containing personal letters and books of Mabel’s family provide an intimate glimpse into their lives, including writings from renowned magician, Harry Houdini. Mabel also wrote and published a number of books, some of which are available to check out from the library. Letters to Lithopolis capture her youthful correspondence with Ohio writer O. Henry.
Though historic in nature, the library provides modern services to the community – exciting programming, a robust collection of materials, wi-fi and computer access and a warm and welcoming environment. The theatre hosts community events and acting classes, and the banquet hall and grounds can be reserved for private events, like parties and weddings.
This month, The Wagnalls Memorial invites the public to celebrate its 90th anniversary with a reception and family celebration on May 24 and 25.
