Columbus is so lucky to have such a great library system. The Northside branch in University District is my nearest CML branch. It is one of the smaller locations, but has a small parking lot and is bright and sunny. Not long ago, it was fully renovated which is great. The library staff and volunteers are friendly. I stopped in to pick prizes for the Summer Reading Challenge and everyone was helpful and kind. With this location being where it is, sometimes you may find unhoused people or some people with mental health issues. I'm not throwing any shade, just making people aware. read more

Columbus Metropolitan Library - Columbus - Libraries Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Nice little library near Short North and OSU. I was in need of a place to work for the day with good Wifi and private rooms and this place got the job done. Wifi was fast and it was not too crowded so rooms were available to reserve. You can reserve a room via the tablets placed throughout the library and you need a library card to do this. The library is three-floors with plenty of seating space on bar stools, chairs, and tables (also plenty of plug outlets). The morning was quiet but more people started to come towards later in the afternoon after school got out. Staff was really friendly and helpful, and I appreciated them having free masks. One thing to note is that I noticed a handful of homeless folks hanging around in front of the library, inside, and using the bathroom. Not dangerous or anything, but just something to keep in mind. read more

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This is my neighborhood library and it is fine. Definitely a nice, renovated space with lots of places to sit and read or work. The staff is always friendly and helpful. There definitely aren't many physical books on the shelves in this branch, but you can always request some from other branches to pick up here. It definitely feels like more of a community space/resource than a place to get books, which is pretty typical for libraries these days. My only complaint is that the after-hours book drop-off slot is in the back of the building by the parking lot. I walked around the whole building trying to find it and there were quite a few people hanging out in the parking lot where the drop slot is located - I had to step around someone setting up their place to sleep, which was awkward. It would be nice to have a book slot in the font of the building for people who are walking up to the library. read more

Grant CML branch! Small building, but expected, as this is their Short North side hustle. Lots of natural light coming from the many large windows; the more vitamin D, the better! I like how the floors inside are ramped, so the main floor flows down to the lower level naturally as you're looking through the book shelves. It's great how the ground floor level looks down on the books below; makes me think of some cool cavern get-up they've design. The largest conference/meeting room is glass-walled, and has tables and chairs. I was coming to met fellow Ohio Jigsaw Puzzle Association members for a day of jigsawing, speed puzzle competitions, and general comradery. The parking lot for this branch library is small, HOWEVER, since this is smack downtown in the urban core of Columbus, most patrons using this locale are aware of this and walk/bike/bus on purpose. The cool design and meaningful flow of this newish (something like) 12 year old addition to the neighborhood is fantastic! read more

Hadn't been in since the rebuild, and man, what an improvement. Better parking. Better facility. Excellent service. Still one of the smaller locations, and the actual stacks are not expansive. But, there is plenty of room to work, read, study. The kids' area is decent-sized, and there is a bus (almost a requirement for Baby K,) assorted computer learning stations, etc. The staff came in to check on things and read to the kids. There was a pretty impressive after-school snack at 345pm on a weekday. They have reading activities throughout the week. As an adult... well, I didn't get a chance to look around much. I should have picked out a book before we sat down in the kids' area. Oh well. It's a nice place, open and bright. Lots of meeting rooms and amenities. We'll definitely be back. read more

Columbus Metropolitan Library - Columbus - Libraries Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I'll get straight to the point: Parking: Free parking available in a small lot behind the building. Also plenty of paid street parking on High street. Staff: Extremely friendly and helpful, they greeted me as soon as I arrived and were able to help. They also gave me the 'low down' for this location since I had never been here before. As I wondered around upstairs, another employee greeted themselves and asked if I needed anything specific. Environment: Clean with lots of natural lighting from large windows. Work spaces: They have 4 study rooms, 3 large meeting rooms, and quiet room with multiple tables and chairs. The quiet room is first come first serve for available spots, but the study rooms and large meeting rooms can be reserved online with a library card, which is free to obtain (https://meeting-rooms.columbuslibrary.org/reserve). The rooms vary in size, and the dimensions are listed on the reservation website. The meeting rooms as well as study rooms 1 and 2 are on the ground level. No windows in study rooms 1 and 2. Study rooms 3 and 4 are located on the second level and also do not have windows. Each study room has a one person work table and 2 chairs. All the rooms have whiteboards. There is also an area of desk top computer workspaces and a separate computer lab on the top floor. My only gripe is that aside from the large meeting rooms, all of the study rooms and other spaces have only a small, one person table. I usually like to spread my stuff out, and occasionally if I'm with a friend, like to share a longer table. However, that would not be doable here unless you pushed a couple tables together. Temperature: Normally, I expect libraries to be a bit chilly thus I always bring a light jacket of some sort. The temperature here was set to 73 degrees as noted on the various thermostats throughout. Take that as you will. read more

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Let me start by saying that the Northside branch is no longer at 1350 N HIgh St - it is at 1423 N. High St. And it is BEAUTIFUL! Having been a regular patron of the old Northside branch back in the early 90's - WOW what a difference I see - not just how new and awesome but the technology that wasn't around back then. Parking is easy - right out back - super important in that area. Very safe and secure. You walk right in and there is actually security in the building. Being a first timer, I had to look around a bit to find a place to sit down, spread out and plug in. There are study rooms - one of which I grabbed. It had a plug and other gadgets available. The building was quiet - much different from the vibes I get at other CBus libraries where there are moms and kids and noise. I know school (grade school) has started back, so the school-aged kids aren't there. But the toddlers and crying infants at other branches were also pleasantly absent. Not sure if OSU is back in session yet. I'm not sure that would make a difference or not. I definitely will add this library to the list of places that are great to work from. So I glad I opted to pop in and take a look around! read more

Columbus Metropolitan Library - Columbus - You can't see it, but there's a nice fish tank in the wall near the green seats. Excellent natural lighting. - Libraries Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Beautiful new building with large windows facing High St that let plenty of sun light in. My favorite aspects of the Northside library are the modern study tables and bar seating along the streetwise windows and the gentle incline that wraps you around the bookcases until you find yourself on the second floor. Whenever I drove by, the library seemed so grand and to be almost towering over the street, but there are only two stories. This library doesn't house as many adult non fiction or fiction books as I had expected; but what is lacking in reading selection is made up by their spacious quiet room, private study rooms, and large event space downstairs. Great place to study or catch up on work. If you're looking for a specific read, I'd recommend checking online before stopping in. Or feel wild and free, and browse a little. read more

Columbus Metropolitan Library - Columbus - From the second floor of the wrap around ramp - Libraries Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Modern and modernistic the Northside branch is the most impressive building in the Columbus library system outside the main grand neo-classical behemoth off Grant. My first trip here in years and I was wowed by the sleek and open design of this recently remodeled branch. Gone is the stuffy, claustrophobic, and dispirited caverns of the old space; in is high ceilings, white light, open stacks, and winding ramps up to wide glass dominated walls. Pushed flushed against High Street in the spirit of filling the broken asphalt ugly spaces in creating a seemless street scene from Campus to the Shorts, the Library's glass facade brings flickering reflections from the street's bustle. Inside a smiley and welcoming staff defies the stereotypes of the colorless library staff. The first floor has the book shelves, always a weak selection compaired to most branches in town, underneath high ceilings and soaking in white colors. A wide scenic ramp leads to a second level. Bordered by street-side sequence of widows the ramp is covered in sunlight. Intermittently are a range of work station; desk made in the modern angles and comfortable look seating. Though the main spaces are library quiet, up a landing is a glass incased room for absolute silence-a quiet room it is called; I didn't visit as for a special quiet room in a already near perfectly quiet building makes me wonder how quiet it yas to be--I mean dare I to breathe? Up another ramp leads to a teen room and a giant, space valued computer and reading room. This room reveals a huge street-side windows, a cosmopolitan feel showcase the growing cityscape under construction on the east curbs of High. Computer station aplenty, free Wifi, and hospital clean, it is the perfect place to do some reading in a relaxing, mediative environment. The selection of Midcentury style reading furniture in the retro tastes of bright primary colors accented the sleek glass dominated atmosphere and spic-span spaciness of the room. They were well design for reading. Comfortable and low, they help relax without seducing one to sleep. Of course this branch has long been notoreous for its lack of in house selection. Its home in a student dominated neighborhood with the campus blocks away makes holding ready-to-check out items rather superfluous. Being that tOSU has its own library system its no wonder demand is low Add that other sections of the population here have other needs, ( computers) it is not surprising that their supply of literature is low. Of course, you can order materials to be shipped from other branches--an easy process. I utilize our libraries as a nice public getaway from destractions at home to get work done. The striking spaces, art work, and design of this branch makes a great place for this when in the area. read more

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I absolutely love this library! It's right downtown, often times has free parking, it's not very cheap parking. It's very beautiful on the inside, it contains wonderful art lots of space lots of material. Unlike Jason, I have not encountered homeless people there, and even if I did, the entire purpose of a library is to serve the community. not just people with money and an attitude read more

One of the smaller libraries in the Columbus system, but it has a few things to like about it. This is NOT- repeat - NOT the place to find a first edition printing of Oscar Wilde's Picture of Dorian Gray, actually, there aren't all that many physical books at this library branch at all. But the Columbus Library has a system where they can locate the book (if it exists within the entire library system) at another branch they can have it shipped here for you. If you have the time it works out great. What this branch does have is a modern look and feel to it, for a comparatively smaller library. There are long ramps going up and down from the ground floor that really give a cool vibe to the building. Lots of large windows, many places to work, three nicely updated meeting rooms downstairs and a decent amount of parking in the back. Why go to Starbucks and fork out $5 for a moca-whipped-nonfat-frappa-soyless whatever just to meet up with someone. If you're nearby- check out this little gem and you'll be glad you did. read more

This is only the second Columbus Metro Library we have been to since getting our library cards almost a year ago, no idea why we waited this long! Again probably not the best out of the many branches Columbus has to offer. It is pretty small but the selection for my son was great. He got his own library card and for an 8 year old that is pretty exciting to have the first real (he thinks credit) card with his name on it that he got to sign and keep in his wallet. He close 10 movies and I got some books for him that we had been wanting to get him, I love how they have the newest books and movies and that you can order and reserve them online. The girls working are great, I can't wait to check out the other locations to see which one I like best! read more

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this tiny little library. There is also absolutely nothing spectacular about it. There is a reason everyone comments on its size; it really is tiny. Smaller than your high school library tiny. But then, the books don't seem to be the draw here. The main attraction is definitely the three rows of internet-connected PCs, free to use with your library card. During the summer, at least, the waiting time can reach an hour or more as every station is taken over for use by virtual soldiers and the Facebook masses. C'mon, it's my turn to check Facebook, guys. It's a great place to jump in if you need quick access to free wifi (you will need a library card and a PIN number to access the web once you connect to the router). BYODevice is a much surer option than the PC corral, all in all. The thing that boggles my mind is that this branch (and apparently some others) are completely closed on Sundays. Sundays! That's part of the weekend! Couldn't it close on, say, a Tuesday? Who has a use for Tuesdays? Ah, well. Wonderful little building, though, and worth a visit if you have an excuse for one- although probably not worth going out of your way to see. read more

Let me start by saying if you're looking for stacks of books, this isn't the place for you. If you're looking for the other things a library has to offer a community, then the Northside branch is for you. In an area close to other libraries (with many more books) and in an area that frequently has people in need of a computer or wifi this library is a godsend. It's very nice and clean on the inside, the staff are lovely. I've seen kids reading and playing games while their parents use the computer, people using the study rooms for group projects, and the free computers are usually busy. This library fulfills the need of its local community, which to me is exactly what a library should do. I visit periodically to use the wifi in a study room (which is quieter than my home typically) and have always been pleased. I know they offer lots of other things that I don't take advantage of, but think that they are excellent assets for other folks who need or want the. They provide you access to Lynda Online Learning, you can also rent audiobooks or eBooks from from them (using the Libby app), and you can even stream movies (mostly independent or older movies, but hey, free is free). I recommend if you need a computer, wifi, or a quiet place to work. read more

This is my new location while my beloved Main Library is under renovation. Neighborhood branch,its small but charming. Favorite material not available? Just asked for it to be shipped to your local,favorite branch. read more

The Northside branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library is probably the smallest library I've ever been too, and I grew up in Mansfield and went to school in Ada. There are maybe fifteen columns of shelves, each column having five actual rows of shelves. Whereas at a typical library you'll find a whole aisle devoted to cooking or a whole aisle devoted to home repair, each section at the Northside branch is only about three feet wide, and the shelves aren't even full. It's skimpy to say the least. The children's corner takes up the front of the library. It's colorful with a few good reading chairs, but it's small as well. There are adequate computer terminals, so if you just need to use the internet for a bit, this would be an okay place to go. The study terminals are not very quite. There are usually people around chatting or helping each other absorb info for a quiz or test. On the plus side, there's a small fish tank there. This might sound silly, but I haven't seen a fish tank in a library since I was little. It's a bit nostalgic for me, and I really like it. Right now, the branch is having a book sale. If you dig enough, you can find some good stuff. The prices are fair, and you'll feel good about your purchases because the money will go towards the library. Tip: The library is easy to pass by since it's recessed a bit from the street. It's just past the corner of King Ave and High St on the west side. read more

The Columbus Metropolitan Library system is great in general. In fact, they've been ranked the number one library in the country three times by Hennen's American Public Library Rating Index, including 2008. However, each branch has its own feel to it. The Northside branch is sufficient enough. It's the closest in proximity to me currently, which is why I frequent it. Of the branches that I've visited, I'd say Northside is the smallest. It has everything that the other branches do - WiFi, stacks, and Internet portals. I do have to give props to Northside because it has a few comfy chairs and a sofa to kick back on with my laptop. Not to mention the fairly large fish tank to gaze at while giving my eyes a break from looking at my laptop or reading a book or magazine. Hear me out; there is nothing wrong with Northside. It's a good little branch. The only downfall is it's small and being in a heavily populated area, it's always cramped. read more

Had a good experience with the staff when I was here, signed up for a library card! Love the layout of this library, with plenty of study tables facing high st. This library not only has a quiet room, but also individual study rooms that can be reserved. Not too many books but the computers were certainly getting some use! read more

As a qualifier to my review, my standards for libraries are very high. I like for a library to have great selection, and this is not the particular branch for that. This branch is tiny. It's not bad, per se. It's clean and presentable inside. But certainly it is tiny without much to choose from, be it books or media. I understand the need for a place like this with the area it's in, but unless you live right near it, probably you're better off at a library closer to you. read more

Their book selection is awful. The library is so small already, maybe only five rows of books, so why are the shelves always only half-full? They have a nice selection of kids books in there, but then they put kids books in the adult section too, so there's really not much selection at all if you want to read something deeper than a cookbook. I suppose it's fine if you want to use the internet or print something. read more

The staff is friendly and the location is convenient, but this library is small, as is the selection of books. It seems to get pretty crowded during the week, especially after 3 PM so I like to get in and get out quickly. I actually try to avoid this library if I can. People loiter outside this library and sometimes the characters seem a little shady. It's mostly kids, but some of the other people seem suspect. I tried to drop off book here at 7 PM on a Friday night. Some guy was sitting in front of the drop off box. That was a little disconcerting. I didn't know if he was a homeless man or a student read more

disappointed with a new 12 million dollar library with a very limited amount of reading material available. also the "teenage" room off limits if you are not a "teen", not good. too many characters loitering inside, not a great sight for small children. the staff is very nice. although I live only a few blocks away I will continue to go to Grandview or the mail branch read more