Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Main Library in downtown Columbus

Every day, Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) opens its doors to all, charged with the mission of promoting reading and guiding learning in pursuit of information, knowledge and wisdom. Through Main Library and 20 branches, dozens of programs and website, associates work passionately to bring the mission to life every day. CML is consistently rated the #1 public library in the nation and in 2009, Library Journal named CML a 5-Star library. Each year CML circulates more than 16.5 million items, assists 8 million customers who walk through the doors and hosts 10 million visitors to the website at columbuslibrary.org.

Columbus’ first Public Library and Reading Room opened in 1873 in the New City Hall building. Ground was broken for the new Main Library on South Grant Avenue in 1903, made possible with a $200,000 gift from steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. The current Main Library building opened to the public in 1907, and now serves as the flagship for a county-wide system.