Spotlight: Columbus Metropolitan Library

Spotlight

The Columbus Metropolitan Library has now served the Central Ohio community for over 125 years. Julie Theado, Marketing Communications and Social Media Coordinator for the Columbus Metropolitan Library, answered some brief questions for us about the Library Journal’s 2010 Library of the Year.

What do you think separates the Columbus Metropolitan Library from other libraries? What makes it great?

Our customers and the support we have from the community make us great. When we received the Library of the Year Award from Library Journal, it was clear that we had created a library model that is run like a business rather than a library, which is uncommon in the industry. Our focus is on customer service and bettering the community.

What impact does the library have on the community?

The library helps transform people’s lives whether it’s helping them find a job or helping children with their homework. Libraries are the foundation for exceptional communities. Our vision is to create a thriving community where wisdom prevails. It’s not about our future – it’s about the future of Columbus and we believe we’re uniquely positioned to help the community.

What do you think a strong library system does for a community?

It helps the community. It helps people find jobs. It teaches children. It focuses on community challenges and works to find ways to improve it. For example, 40% of children entering Columbus schools are unprepared for kindergarten. Our Ready to Read Corps is taking the library out into the community to help parents be their child’s first teacher. The Corps visits food pantries, churches, dollar/thrift stores and even laundromats and provides parents with easy skills that will benefit their children and ultimately the community.

What kinds of ongoing services does the Columbus Metropolitan Library offer?

One of our key initiatives focuses on Young Minds which includes programs and services such as storytime, bookmobiles, Summer Reading Club, Ready to Read and Homework Help. Homework Help Centers are designated spaces within all of our branches that provide FREE homework assistance, school supplies, computer access and free printing.

Ready to Read Corps is a first-of-its-kind initiative that takes our Ready to Read program, the foundation of our reading programs, out of the library and into communities to prepare kids for kindergarten. The primary focus is to seek out parents and caregivers of children who don't come to the library, organize workshops that focus on six pre-reading skills necessary for early literacy, and provide mobile services such as checking out books and signing up children and adults for library cards. In Columbus 40% of the children entering kindergarten are unprepared and already starting behind others. We currently have Corps teams working in Parsons/Weinland Park, Northland and Linden communities with plans to add teams to help those in the Hilltop, Groveport and Whitehall communities.

Our Homework Help Centers provide double-duty and during school hours they are Job Help Centers. Each branch has a Job Help Center and staff assists customers in building resumes and searching for jobs. We also hold two Job Help Weeks every year and our next one is March 14-18. The focus of this Job Help Week is Any Age, Any Stage. Whether it’s a teenager looking for that first job or someone who wants to start a business, Job Help Week has programs to help customers reach their goals. All Franklin County libraries are participating in this week-long event to help customers build a better resume, polish interview skills, learn how to successfully re-enter the workforce and so much more.

We also offer small business classes as well as programs on how to use a computer. We’re working with ConnectOhio on a program called “Every Citizen Online.”

Are there any plans to add more services?

We do not have any firm plans at the moment, but have considered adding resources related to health literacy. We also believe our focus on business and economic development will be a large part of our efforts in 2011.

What kinds of volunteer opportunities does the library have?

We always need volunteers. Our jobs include processing books, movies, periodicals, and more, helping customers with reserved items, tutoring, assisting with book sales and in The Library Store, and playing a role at special events.

Are there any upcoming events?
Job Help Week is March 14-18.

Our Summer Reading Club is one of our largest events every year and will run June 4-July 30. In 2010, we had 75,000 adults, children and teens sign up to participate. This year’s theme is Be a Hero. Read, celebrating community heroes. Summer Reading Club helps keep children’s reading skills sharp during the summer months while making reading fun.

Are there any requirements for being a member of the CML?

All you need is a free library card to check out materials. However, we do have a group called the Friends of the Library which you pay a small amount to join and that money helps support events and activities at our branches.

How important are donations to the library’s success?

Donations are incredibly important. Without donations we wouldn't be able to provide programs and services such as Homework Help Centers, Job Help Centers, Summer Reading Club and Ready to Read Corps.

You can contact the Columbus Metropolitan Library at 614-645-2ASK (2275), or visit one of the 22 Columbus-area locations.
www.columbuslibrary.org