Columbus Metropolitan Library

    One of the top four libraries in the country,for the past eighteen years, is right here in Columbus, Ohio. This first tax supported free library in Columbus was founded in 1873, and now includes 21 branches, two bookmobiles, and over 2.5 million books and periodicals, 176 thousand videos, and 260 thousand audio materials (CD's, records, and cassettes). Prior to the construction of the building, this site was the home of Judge Noah Swayne (from 1848). President Abe Lincoln, in 1862, appointed Swayne as a Supreme Court Justice. Between the 1860's and the 1880's, it served as the Governor's mansion. In 1903, the Swayne home was razed to make room for the new library after industrialist Andrew Carnegie donated $200,000 to get construction started. We love libraries and tend to judge cities we visit based on how good their library system is. This is one of our favorites and is a fun place to visit.

The main library branch in downtown Columbus sits on the site of the former home of Judge Noah Swayne, which also served as Ohio's Governor's Mansion for twenty years.

Today's main lobby is impressive and sets the tone for enjoying our visit. The wall facing us, with all the windows, was part of the original library.

Equally impressive are the domed hallways with stunning glass skylights...

...and they seem to be everywhere on the upper levels.

Even the stairway in the original part of the building is beautiful.

But the heart of every library is its collection of books...

For Lori, the real heart of the library is the Children's section...

It is extremely kid-friendly...

From the mock-up school bus on which they can play...

...to the computer table where they can access educational games...

...to helping children learn good social behaviors, this is a great place!

Each time we come to Columbus, we usually visit the Clintonville branch of this wonderful library.