All CML locations will be closed Sunday, Jan. 19 and Monday, Jan. 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The post Library to open its Main Library as refuge from the cold on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

In 2010, Franklin County voters approved a 2.8 mill continuing levy.

“We committed to Franklin County voters in 2010 that we would not return to them for additional levy funds for a minimum of 10 years,” said CML CEO Patrick Losinski. “Strong fiscal stewardship has stretched that funding 13 years – 30% beyond our promise to voters. If approved, this additional 1.5 mill levy will enable us to make continued investments in materials, resources, technology, programs and facilities.”

If approved, the resulting tax would generate $39,065,000 during the first year of collection. The 1.5 mills amounts to $53 for each $100,000 of the County Auditor’s appraised value.

The post Library Board of Trustees approves resolution to seek a levy this November appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

COLUMBUS—The Franklin County Commissioners have appointed Tariq Tarey to the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) Board of Trustees. He fulfills a seven-year term that commenced Jan. 1, 2023 and ends Dec. 31, 2029.

Tarey, who currently serves as Director of Refugee Social Services for Jewish Family Services, was officially sworn in during today’s Board of Trustees meeting. He fills the seat recently vacated by Katie Chatas who, after seven years on the Board of Trustees, completed her service at the end of 2022. CML’s seven-member Board of Trustees is responsible for guiding major decisions about library strategies, policies, services and budget.

The post Tariq Tarey appointed to Columbus Metropolitan Library Board of Trustees appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Chanie Scott has been hired to serve as manager of CML’s Martin Luther King Branch. She previously worked at CML from 2013-2017, serving as Ready to Ready Corps Specialist and later in various roles at the Barnett and Martin Luther King branches. Since then, she has served at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio and as the Assistant Director of Community & Faith-Based Affairs for the City of Columbus. Scott began her new role on March 7. Miya Reyes, who previously served as manager of the Martin Luther King Branch, took on a new role as Public Services Director in 2021.

Wendy VanScheetz has been hired to serve as manager of CML’s Whetstone Branch. She began her CML career in 1997, serving in various roles at the Northern Lights, Reynoldsburg and Whetstone branches and on CML’s InfoLine/Rover team. For the past 10 years, she has served as manager of Main Library’s Circulation division. VanScheetz began her new role on March 21. Jennifer Hess, who previously served as manager of the Whetstone Branch, was hired as manager of the Reynoldsburg Branch in January.

NOTE: Electronic files of headshots available upon request.

The post Library hires managers for Martin Luther King and Whetstone branches appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

The following locations will be open Mon-Thu: 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri & Sat: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun: 1-5 p.m.:

• Dublin Branch
• Hilliard Branch
• Hilltop Branch
• Karl Road Branch
• Main Library
• New Albany Branch
• Reynoldsburg Branch
• Southeast Branch
• Whetstone Branch
• Whitehall Branch

The following locations will be open Mon-Thu: 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri & Sat: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun: 1-5 p.m.:

• Barnett Branch
• Driving Park Branch
• Franklinton Branch
• Gahanna Branch (currently at a temporary location while new branch is under construction)
• Linden Branch
• Martin Luther King Branch
• Northern Lights Branch
• Northside Branch
• Parsons Branch
• Shepard Branch
• South High Branch

Additionally, the Canal Winchester Branch will be open Mon-Thu: 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri & Sat: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and closed Sunday. The Marion-Franklin Branch will keep its current hours: Mon-Thu: 2-7 p.m., Fri: 2-6 p.m. and closed Saturday and Sunday.

The post Library to return to normal hours starting March 21 appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Fully staffed, CML employs approximately 870 full- and part-time staff members. CML’s staffing count in early November was 711. That number has since risen to 760. Open library positions remain posted on CML’s Careers page.

To ensure social distancing, CML staff may limit the number of people who can attend some of its programs. CML asks that customers not enter its buildings if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or if they recently came in contact with someone who is experiencing symptoms.

Masks are required in all CML locations by order of the City of Columbus and Library Board of Trustees. Children under the age of 2 are not required to wear a mask.

The post Library to reopen on Sundays starting Feb. 20 appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

COLUMBUS—The Franklin County Court of Commons Pleas has appointed Sandy Doyle-Ahern to the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) Board of Trustees. She fulfills a seven-year term recently vacated by former Trustee Kevin Reeves that commenced Jan. 1, 2017 and ends Dec. 31, 2023. Reeves recently moved out of state after serving for five years on the CML Board of Trustees.

Doyle-Ahern, who currently serves as President of EMH&T, a professional engineering and survey firm, was officially sworn in during today’s CML Board of Trustees meeting.

Additionally, the CML Board of Trustees has sworn in its new officers, effective Jan. 1, 2022:

• Catherine Strauss, Managing Partner, Ice Miller LLP, as president
• Tom Katzenmeyer, President & CEO, Greater Columbus Arts Council, as vice president
• Carla Williams-Scott, Director, Dept. of Neighborhoods, City of Columbus, as secretary

The officer positions are elected every year.

CML’s seven-member Board of Trustees is responsible for guiding major decisions about library strategies and operations. This includes everything from capital projects to the customer code of conduct.

The post Sandy Doyle-Ahern appointed to Columbus Metropolitan Library Board of Trustees appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Fully staffed, CML employs approximately 870 full- and part-time staff members. CML’s staffing count in early November was 711. Two months later, that number has risen to 739 and counting. CML leaders will continue to assess staffing levels throughout the coming weeks. Open library positions are posted on CML’s Careers page.

In response to the recent rise in COVID-19 in central Ohio, CML staff may limit the number of people who can attend some of its programs to ensure social distancing.

CML also continues to distribute free COVID-19 testing kits, supplied by the Ohio Department of Health, at all 23 locations. Customers are encouraged to call 614-645-2275 to check availability before visiting, as locations frequently run out of stock, and to please call the Curbside Pickup number posted in the parking lot when they arrive. Customers seeking kits are asked to remain outside, and a staff member will bring a test kit to them, if one is available.

CML asks that customers not enter its buildings if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or if they recently came in contact with someone who is experiencing symptoms. Masks are still required in all CML locations by order of the City of Columbus and Library Board of Trustees. Children under the age of 2 are not required to wear a mask.

The post Library to extend Sunday closure until further notice appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Fully staffed, CML employs approximately 870 full- and part-time staff members. CML’s current staffing count is 711, meaning there are nearly 160 unfilled positions, stretching the capacity of current staff.

CML leaders, in tandem with its Board of Trustees, will reassess staffing levels in the coming weeks and months to determine whether the Sunday closure will extend beyond Jan. 9.

Digital library resources remain available 24/7 at columbuslibrary.org, including eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, movies and music, plus research and learning tools.

The post Library to close on Sundays through at least Jan. 9, 2022 appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Of CML’s 23 library locations, 15 are within Columbus city limits. Today’s vote by CML’s Board of Trustees extends that indoor mask order to include all 23 library locations, including those eight located outside of Columbus: CML’s Canal Winchester, Dublin, Hilliard, Gahanna, New Albany, Reynoldsburg, Southeast and Whitehall branches.

CML staff members have been required to wear masks, regardless of their vaccination status, since earlier this summer.

The post Library to require all customers to wear masks appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.