Legendary Library

Upper Arlington’s Miller Park celebrates 70 years of public service

By Christopher Braun

Renovations of the historic Miller Park Library building occurred just five years ago, but the library is commemorating 70 years since the building was originally completed on Dec. 1, 1942.

Though currently a library, the building has also served many other purposes. The library was the first in Upper Arlington and was originally a part of the Grandview Heights Public Library system. A portion of the existing building was constructed in 1913 by Ben and King Thompson, the real estate developers who are responsible for much of modern-day Upper Arlington, to serve as the field house for the Upper Arlington Company, says Ann Moore, director of Upper Arlington Libraries.

The most recent Miller Park Library renovations were completed Feb. 5, 2007 and cost approximately $900,000 -- $700,000 of which was donated by the Upper Arlington Library Foundation. Many of the building’s exterior walls were left intact, though the floor plan was significantly enlarged from 1,600 to 3,100 square feet.

“There are a few of the same walls, but a lot has changed,” says Danna Armstrong, librarian at the Miller Park Library. “Everything has been moved from the basement to the first floor. The entire public service area has been moved to the first floor.”

The building’s basement is currently used for staff offices and storage.

Over the years, Miller Park Library, located in Old Arlington at 1901 Arlington Ave., has left a lasting mark on area residents who have frequented the facility with its vast collection of materials, as well as its fun and educational events.

“We’ve collected a lot of memories from area residents,” says Armstrong. “There are especially fond memories of the old basement where story time was held, which is now at the back of the library.”

The Miller Park Library features many resources for area residents both young and old. In addition to a large youth and adult catalog and Internet access, the facility also provides access to the Main Upper Arlington Library as well as the Lane Road Branch.

While the Miller Park Library is celebrating a major milestone this year, the library features many regular events each month, such as Babytime Storytime, where caregivers can learn songs, stories and rhymes that can aid in learning for newborns to 2-year-olds, and Sing-A-Story, where young children can join library staff for songs and stories.

Many Upper Arlington residents have grown up with the story times, youth programs and crafts during the library’s long history. It has provided many great learning opportunities for Upper Arlington area residents and brought local families together.

“People have memories of coming here when they were children, coming here after school then bringing their children,” Armstrong says. “A lot of people have grown up coming to this library. We have a whole lot of great memories we would like to share.”

Christopher Braun is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at laurand@pubgroupltd.com.

4th of July Parade Memories

Have great memories of the Upper Arlington 4th of July Parade? Want to share them with your community?

Send us pictures of your most memorable parade experiences. Show us your friends, your family and yourself having a great time celebrating America’s independence. Send your photos and stories to laurand@pubgroupltd.com.