Library branch manager Ryan Burley stays focused on youth
In some ways, Ryan Burley’s job hasn’t changed much.
Sure, he’s been promoted to manager of the New Albany branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, but a large part of his focus remains on the children.
“Getting kids ready for for kindergarten and excited about books has been a passion of mine,” said Burley, who had been youth-services director of the branch since 2012.
Burley said there are seven storytimes a week in the morning, and around 3 p.m., when school’s out, children flood the library to study, mingle or just read a book.
“After school it’s a busy, hopping place,” he said.
Add school help centers, Reading Buddies, the Winter Reading Challenge, held over the holidays, and the Summer Reading Challenge, and there’s a lot to do for the younger crowd interested in learning.
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“It’s a good place to be,” Burley said. “It’s a good place for kids to be.”
This year, the library will bring back its legion of teen volunteers, a program that was shelved during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Burley, 43, grew up in Marion and later lived in near Powell. He was an athlete, packing 250 pounds of muscle on his 5-foot, 10-inch frame and hoping to play football. He went to Ohio State University to study ancient Roman and Greek literature.
“When I was in college, I got a job in a library,” he said. “I loved books, and I loved reading.”
So he decided to go into the profession and went to Kent State University to get his master’s degree in library science. The school welcomed him to study, but football was no longer a prospect, he said.
Now a resident of Columbus’ University District, Burley first was hired by CML in 2006 to work in the Hilliard branch.
He most recently served as interim manager at the South High and Franklinton branches.
Burley replaced Benjamin Reid, who took on a new role as public-services director.
The New Albany branch was opened in 2003; a construction project that concluded in April 2021 improved the library’s infrastructure and added more space to the teen and school-help centers.
Burley said the promotion is a good change of pace.
“I like it,” he said. “After being youth-services director for so long, it’s nice to step into a new role.”
Burley earns plaudits from Kirsten Klink, a K-12 librarian with New Albany-Plain Local Schools.
“For many years, I have had the pleasure of working with Ryan Burley on many literacy endeavors that support students and staff at New Albany-Plain Local Schools,” Klink said. “From promotion of reading initiatives to book access for our annual author series, Ryan has been invaluable in his efforts to assist in any way he can. I am so appreciative of the partnership I have with Ryan and others at the New Albany branch library. The accessibility of this library to our school community is immeasurable.”
@ThisWeekGary
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