COLUMBUS—Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) has cut the ribbon on its new Barnett Branch at 3434 E. Livingston Ave.
The new Barnett Branch has:
- 22,000 square feet of space (increased from 12,300 square feet)
- Three meeting rooms and four study rooms for community use
- A larger Children’s area with more space for programs and areas for children to read, play, and use computers
- Dedicated space for teens with books, computers, and study spaces
- A game room and recording studio
- A Learning Center where students can get free after-school help
- Public computers and a business center for community use
- Commissioned works of public art
- Seating areas to read and relax
- A collection of library materials to meet the community’s needs
The Barnett Branch at 3434 E. Livingston Ave. was built in 1992. It was formerly known as the Livingston Branch until it was renamed in 2019. The new Barnett Branch, built on the same site, has nearly doubled the size of the former branch from roughly 12,300 square feet to approximately 22,000 square feet. Turner is the construction manager at risk and Schooley Caldwell and Evoke Studio are the architects.
CML kicked off construction of the new branch with a “wallbreaking” ceremony on May 22, 2024.
Its hours of operation are:
Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday: 1-5 p.m.
Ribbon cutters participating in today’s dedication include:
Jamaiha, Aniyaih and Da’Raiha, students, Patriot Preparatory Academy
Sophia and Vanessa, students, Holy Spirit Catholic School
Journey, student, Whitehall Preparatory and Fitness Academy
Zayleigh, student, Berwick Alternative School
Billy Askey, Principal, Evoke Studio
Eternity Ballour, Barnett Branch Manager, Columbus Metropolitan Library
Vangela Barnes, Chair, Greater South East Area Commission
Quay Barnes, Area Commissioner, Mid-East Area Commission
Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, City of Columbus
Gwendolyn Bess, Assistant Principal, Walnut Ridge High School
Joy Bivens, Deputy County Administrator, Franklin County
Dave Brown, Project Executive, Turner Construction
Krisitan Brown, Community Clinical Counselor, Columbus Public Health
Matt Brown, Manager, Capital Planning & Construction, Columbus Metropolitan Library
Justin Bumbico, Information Technology Officer, Columbus Metropolitan Library
Angie Cano-Flores, Associate, Evoke Studio
Katherine Cull, Assistant Director, City of Columbus, Division of Community Engagement
Kelly DeMiglio, Area Commissioner, Mid-East Area Commission
Steve Dodge, Area Commissioner, Mid-East Area Commission
Kym Douglas, Director, Department of Neighborhoods, City of Columbus
Keoni Fleming, Principal, Schooley Caldwell
Denise Friend Foster, Area Commissioner, Mid-East Area Commission
Mayor Andrew Ginther, City of Columbus
Steven Haardt, Associate Principal, Evoke Studio
Lauren Hagan, Chief Executive Officer, Columbus Metropolitan Library
Charlie Hansen, Chief Public Services Officer, Columbus Metropolitan Library
Kelly Harrier, Area Commissioner, Mid-East Area Commission
Edwin Harris, Principal, Evoke Studio
Hunter Horton, Interior Designer, Schooley Caldwell
Donna Jones, Area Commissioner, Mid-East Area Commission
Tom Katzenmeyer*, President, Columbus Metropolitan Library Board of Trustees
Kim Kiehl, Area Commissioner, Mid-East Area Commission
Angelique King-Ferguson, Director, Perkins Playhouse & Learning Center
Zach Klein, City Attorney, City of Columbus
Lynne LaCour, Neighborhood Liaison, City of Columbus, Department of Neighborhoods
Kris Long, Deputy County Administrator, Franklin County
Shirley Marshall, Area Commissioner, Mid-East Area Commission
Rayan Mashal, Social Woker, City of Columbus Public Health
Suzan Mchao, Legislative Analyst, City of Columbus, Department of Neighborhoods
Susan Moore, Area Commissioner, Mid-East Area Commission
Alison Nakasako, ECT volunteer
Patricia Okal, Area Commissioner, Mid-East Area Commission
Sam Oman, Assistant Engineer, Turner Construction
Clyde Owens, Community Development MLO, First Commonwealth Bank
Michelle Phillips, Area Commissioner, Mid-East Area Commission
Dr. Tina Pierce, Columbus Board of Education
Bernita Reese, Director, Columbus Recreation and Parks
Felicia Saunders, Chair, Mid-East Area Commission
Belle Scott, Branch Manager, Fifth Third Bank
Dan Sharpe, VP Community Research & Grants Management, The Columbus Foundation
Tanya Short Johnson, Area Commissioner, Mid-East Area Commission
Renée Shumate**, Vice President, Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation
Molly Skrlec, Sales & Service Manager, First Commonwealth Bank
Kelly Stevelt, Community Engagement Senior Manager, AEP Foundation
Catherine Strauss*, Managing Partner, Ice Miller
Judy Thompson, Founder, Parent Involvement, Inc.
Wendy Tressler, Planning and Strategy Officer, Columbus Metropolitan Library
Marshall Troxell, Assistant Director of Community Affairs, City of Columbus
Nicholas Verhoff, Project Manager, Turner Construction
Sharon Ware, Area Commissioner, Mid-East Area Commission
David White*, Senior VP, RTI International
Carla Williams-Scott*, Senior Manager, Community Outreach & Strategic Partnerships,
The Ohio State University’s Kirwin Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity
Anthony Wilson, Chief Operating Officer, Columbus Metropolitan Library
Elizabeth Wood, Director of Cultural Resources & Libraries, Ohio History Connection
Tyler Young, Project Architect, Schooley Caldwell
Litany Zenz, Project Manager, Turner Construction
Donna Zuiderweg, Chief of Service Design and Engagement, Columbus Metropolitan Library
*Columbus Metropolitan Library Board of Trustees Member
**Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation Board Member
+Friends of the Library Board Member
Click here to learn more about CML’s Aspirational Building Program.
Click here for additional CML press announcements and media resources.
