Library announces Dublin Branch closing and ‘wallbreaking’ dates
Storefront off Sawmill Road to provide temporary library services
COLUMBUS—In preparation for construction of Columbus Metropolitan Library’s (CML) new Dublin Branch, the current Dublin Branch, located at 75 N. High St., will close to the public at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22.
Then, on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m., CML will kick off construction of the new branch with a short, highly visual “wallbreaking” ceremony that will include library leaders and city and community officials. The brief event is free and open to all. Parking is available in the branch parking lot.
CML will open a temporary Dublin Branch at 6765 Dublin Center Dr. (near the Big Sandy Superstore). The temporary Dublin Branch, scheduled to open on Tuesday, Jan. 2, will have the following hours: Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. The collection size will be reduced with a focus on high-interest titles. When the new Dublin Branch opens in 2019, the collection will return to its normal size. The temporary location will also offer reserve pickup, public computers, magazines and newspapers, as well as children’s programming and after-school homework help.
The Dublin Branch, built in 1980 and renovated in 1990, is one of the most heavily used branches in CML’s 23-location system. The new 3-level Dublin Branch, to be built on the same site, will double the size of the current branch from roughly 20,100 square feet to approximately 41,000 square feet.
Additionally, an adjacent 4-level parking garage will be constructed by the City of Dublin with 200 spaces reserved for branch customers. CML plans to open the new Dublin Branch in 2019. Turner is the construction manager at risk and NBBJ is the architect.
The Dublin Branch project is the last project of CML’s 10-project aspirational building program:
- The new Driving Park Branch opened July 12, 2014
- The new Whitehall Branch opened April 11, 2015
- The new Parsons Branch opened June 4, 2016
- The transformed Main Library opened June 25, 2016
- The new Northern Lights Branch opened Sept. 24, 2016
- The new Shepard Branch opened Oct. 13, 2016
- The new Northside Branch opened June 22, 2017
- Construction is underway on a new Hilliard Branch
- Construction is underway on a new Martin Luther King Branch
CML understands that great libraries create stronger communities, and each branch is an essential hub that reflects the unique needs of the neighborhood it serves. Some of CML’s 23 locations are 40 to 50 years old and inadequate to meet the demands of a growing 21st century community. Demands and expectations will continue to grow, along with the population of Franklin County.
CML’s aspirational building program is the result of a community-wide process that will continue to serve the needs of Franklin County well into the future. The plan is a multi-phased comprehensive blueprint that reinvents and revitalizes the entire 600,000 square feet maintained by the library.
In addition to being a vital community asset, Columbus Metropolitan Library strives to minimize its environmental footprint. With each new building or renovation project, CML plans to use sustainable building materials, incorporate glass for natural light to reduce energy costs and introduce other design and building elements friendly to the natural environment.
Phase one of CML’s aspirational building program is transforming and significantly upgrading seven urban branches (Driving Park, Whitehall, Parsons, Martin Luther King, Northside, Northern Lights, Shepard) and two suburban branches (Hilliard and Dublin). In addition, changes to Main Library represent a major investment in downtown Columbus and the Discovery District.
Visit columbuslibrary.org for more information and to track progress of CML’s ambitious building program.
Visit columbuslibrary.org/press to view other Columbus Metropolitan Library press releases.
Library
Contacts:
Gregg Dodd, Marketing Director
Columbus Metropolitan Library
(614) 849-1043 office, (614) 205-7816 cell
gdodd@columbuslibrary.org
www.columbuslibrary.org
Ben Zenitsky, Marketing & Communications Specialist
Columbus Metropolitan Library
(614) 849-1045 office, (614) 315-3766 cell
bzenitsky@columbuslibrary.org
www.columbuslibrary.org