Plans have been more than decade in the making.
After a 16-month renovation, the main branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library is reopening its doors Saturday.
Updates include a grand atrium, an updated children's area and more community space.
It's a $35-million renovation, designed with the people in mind.
“It's a civic space,” Ben Zenitsky with the Columbus Metropolitan Library said. “It's more than just a house for books; it's a community gathering place for the city of Columbus.”
Zenitsky said transparency, flexibility and iconic design are just some of the building principles of the newly transformed library.
“Customers are going to get great views that they've never had before of downtown Columbus to the west, and a park to the east,” Zenitsky said.
The building was originally added in 1991 to supplement the historic Carnegie building, which was built in 1907.
It was essentially gutted for the major renovation.
“What we have done with this renovation is we have opened the atrium up on all sides, so customers will have access to all three floors all the way around,” Zenitsky said.
And they've added walkways to connect the old building to the new to provide seamless interaction between the two.
Library patrons will be able to look out and see views most never even knew existed.
“This atrium, which was here before, was lined with staff offices, a lot of mirrored glass. So while this space felt bright, it was not particularly open,” Zenitsky said.
So a lot more space for community gathering, and of course reading.
There are also seven meeting rooms that patrons can reserve.
“We don't have tall rows of shelving anymore. Everything is lower, because we want customers to be able to see the views around them,” Zenitsky said. “We want our customers to feel welcomed, to feel invited, to want to stay.”
The big ribbon cutting ceremony is Saturday at noon. There will be activities and live bands all weekend long as well as a special visit from best-selling author, David Baldacci.
For more information – go to http://www.columbuslibrary.org/.
