Library Renovations

Library receives a facelift

Local branch renovations complete

By Bre Offenberger

The Columbus Metropolitan Library’s New Albany branch has undergone a major refresh and is ready to show off its updated look.

The library, which was closed for almost three months, has now reopened in a limited capacity with upgrades galore. Some of its stations have consolidated into one center, including updates to its service model, with the information desk and circulation desk having transformed into a public service desk. This merger created more room for other additions.

The area now includes increased seating in the Homework Help Center, more study rooms, a doubling of space in the teen section and a larger children’s area. Other updates include new ceilings, lighting, HVAC, floorings, windows and furniture as well.

Benjamin Reid, manager of the New Albany branch, is over the moon about the renovations. He says customers have expressed their delight in the changes, too.

The renovations came at the best time, Reid says. While a refresh had already been planned before COVID-19 struck, he says the library took advantage of the quiet time created by the pandemic.

“The refresh came at a great time because we were in this time period of some diminished services,” Reid says. “So, the disruptions to our services were not as great as they would have been in previous years, and it gives us the opportunity to reinvest in the New Albany community to create a space that will work.”

While the library is open for limited services for the time being – which means there are no in-person meetings or programs currently running – Reid is optimistic these improvements will draw in even more customers than the branch saw in pre-pandemic times.

“We’re certainly hopeful,” Reid says. “We’re hopeful that resources like our Homework Help Center and this teen space, and we’ve added some study rooms, that those are going to get good usage once everybody in our society is more willing to use public spaces.”

The renovations come just before a key anniversary for the library: it will celebrate 20 years in 2023. Reid says he and his staff are already looking ahead, and he can’t wait to see the drastic improvements and long-term impact this refresh will have not only on the community, but New Albany as a whole.

“We loved the branch as it was before, but it was showing its age in some ways,” Reid says. “And so by doing this update and updating some of our service models here, we’re able to really align with some of our key strategies of serving kids and families, of what we call ‘serving young minds in the community.’ We think it’s just a real benefit, a real reinvestment for New Albany.”

Bre Offenberger is an editorial assistant. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.