Columbus Metropolitan Library Branches
Dublin Core
Title
Columbus Metropolitan Library Branches
Collection Items
First State Library
The first state library was housed in the state office building (center) built in 1815. It was a two-story brick building on South High St. between Broad and State streets.
Franklin County Courthouse
The Western Lyceum, established in 1842, originally met in the old county courthouse before finding a permanent home for its library.
Alfred Kelley
The Franklin Lyceum was able to survive thanks to officers and donors like Alfred Kelley who acted as the President of the organization.
John W. Andrews
A longtime supporter of libraries in Columbus, John Andrews was a former officer of the Franklin Lyceum and led the charge to approach the city for a free public library. He became the President of the Public Library and Reading Room in 1872.
Reading Room
In announcing the opening of the library it was noted that “this new institution belongs to no sect, creed, class, or sex in particular, but is the common property of all.”
Linden Branch
The first Linden Branch opened in 1928. The building was located at 1751 E. Aberdeen Ave. Pictured here is the third location of the Linden Branch at 2432 Cleveland Ave, opened in 1952. The location was designed by Harry Roderick and offered…
Parsons Branch
The first Parsons Branch served the Southside of Columbus from 1928-1956 at 1124 Parsons Ave. The library opened with 1,800 books, with 500 books in German. Margaret Bausch was chosen as the head librarian because she could speak German, like so many…
Hilltop Branch
The first Hilltop Branch opened in 1928 at 21 N. Hague Ave. The library opened with 1,800 books to much fanfare from the neighborhood. In 1950 the branch pictured became the new Hilltop Branch at 2955 W. Broad St. It was the first library owned…
Milo Branch
Opened in 1930 at 768 Leona Ave., the Milo Branch was the fifth neighborhood branch built, and the first built after the original four that opened in 1928. The branch closed in 1950 when it was replaced by a bookmobile stop.
Fornof School
The county station serving the Marion-Franklin neighborhood still stands at 156 Dering Ave. The school was built in 1928 and served as a library station from 1938-1957.
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