Opening of Gahanna Branch to coincide with CML’s 150th anniversary
After two COVID-related construction delays, the new Gahanna library is to make its debut March 4.
The new branch is to replace the old facility at 310 Granville St.
A community celebration is slated for 9 a.m. March 4.
The opening coincides with the 150th anniversary of the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML), which operates 23 facilities, including Gahanna’s.
CML closed Gahanna’s branch in 2019 and bulldozed it that summer.
The new one, to be built on the site of the former library, is 35,300 square feet. The 2-story building cost $21.8 million.
“This new library, almost twice the size of the former building, will have so much to offer the Gahanna community,” branch manager Nathan Oliver said.
“We’ll have more dedicated space for young minds, school help and teens, plus a quiet study room, large meeting rooms and plenty of small study rooms,” Oliver said.
“We’ll have a fantastic collection of new books and plenty of tables, chairs and comfortable seating to read and enjoy the beautiful views from the second floor.
“We can’t wait to cut the ribbon and introduce the Gahanna community to their new 21st-century library.”
Since the location was razed, CML created a temporary library at 310 Hamilton Road in the Hunter’s Ridge subdivision.
Ben Zenitsky, spokesperson for the library system, said Gahanna is one of the busiest branches in CML.
Pre-COVID numbers in 2019 show that the branch had 288,000 visits and 497,000 checkouts, both fourth in their respective categories in the entire system, Zenitsky said.
He said there will be much more space for programs and story time, an expanded children’s area, meeting rooms and personalized study rooms.
“The last Gahanna branch we built was at a time for books,” Zenitsky said. “Now, they’re designed for people who love books.”
Gahanna’s branch was built in 1991 and renovated in 1998.
Turner Construction Co. is the construction manager, and the architect is NBBJ, which also designed CML’s new Northside, Driving Park and Dublin branches.
The new branch is to have a drive-up window where customers can pick up reserves and return materials.
@ThisWeekGary
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