The display, painstakingly created over the course of many months by approximately 40 members of the Ohio LEGO Users Group (OhioLUG), honors central Ohio’s own Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. “Many of the habitats are even based on their real-life counterparts, but with an imaginative LEGO twist!” says Steve Jogan, OhioLUG president.

Customers and LEGO lovers of all ages are invited to view the display through Aug. 8. While at Main Library, customers can also sign up for CML’s Summer Reading Challenge and earn prizes just by reading.

OhioLUG is a group of adults based in Ohio that have (re)discovered the joy of building creations out of the popular LEGO brand building blocks. Visit ohiolug.org to learn more.

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Ten Culture Passes will be available for in-person checkout at CML’s Main Library before six select home games. Each pass admits two individuals of any age to attend Crew home games on July 19, July 25, July 29, Aug. 1, Aug. 5 and Aug. 23. Ten passes for the next game will be made available for checkout at Main Library the day after each game. The first round of passes for the game on July 19 will be available for checkout next week.

CML offers its cardholders free admission to select central Ohio cultural institutions. The Culture Pass program enables CML customers to borrow passes just as they would a book: using their library card. This onetime pass, which must be checked out in person, grants customers limited free access to institutions that would otherwise charge admission fees. Click here for more information.

CML piloted the program in 2018, offering Culture Passes to Franklin Park Conservatory and the Wexner Center for the Arts. Since then, CML has worked to expand the number of participating organizations.

“With the help of our community partners, we’re working to expose all central Ohioans to the many renowned cultural gems we are fortunate to have at our doorstep,” said CML Director of Marketing & Communications Gregg Dodd. “As a public library, our role is to ensure equal access to all, and that goes well beyond books.”

“The Columbus Crew are thrilled to join Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Cultural Pass program to help accomplish the Club’s mission of championing soccer in Columbus,” said Stephanie Cedeño, Crew Director of Community Relations. “The Crew and library have a shared commitment to education, and this partnership will help the Club continue to grow the beautiful game and encourage the community to support their local library.”

Current participating cultural organizations:

• BalletMet: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• CAPA: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Chamber Music Columbus: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Children’s Theatre: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Linden, Martin Luther King, Parsons and Shepard branches
• Columbus Clippers: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Crew: Passes available at CML’s Main Library
• Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Linden, Martin Luther King, Parsons and Shepard branches
• Columbus Museum of Art: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Symphony: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Barnett, Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Marion-Franklin, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights, Northside, Parsons, Shepard and Whitehall branches
• Dawes Arboretum: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Franklin Park Conservatory: Passes available at CML’s Driving Park, Martin Luther King and Shepard branches
• Jazz Arts Group: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Barnett, Driving Park, Franklinton, Linden, Martin Luther King, Northside, Parsons, Shepard and Whitehall branches
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Barnett, Franklinton, Martin Luther King and Parsons branches
• Ohio History Center: Passes available at CML’s Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights and Northside branches
• Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• ProMusica: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Shadowbox Live: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Dublin, Gahanna, Hilliard and New Albany branches

The Culture Pass program offers each participating institution the opportunity to select which specific CML locations will offer their passes based on the neighborhoods and communities associated with their outreach, diversity and inclusion goals. Therefore, Culture Passes are only available for in-person customer checkout at the specific CML locations listed above. Culture Passes cannot be reserved like traditional library items. However, customers can check their availability at columbuslibrary.org by typing “Culture Pass” into the catalog search bar.

Each participating organization offers their passes to CML and its customers for free. CML does not purchase passes as it does with traditional library materials. Each organization sets its own rules for how many individuals are covered under its passes and on which days the passes will be honored. Partner organizations also set the number of passes allotted to each designated CML location.

The Culture Pass program previously included the Wexner Center for the Arts, however since admission to the museum is now free, both partners are exploring new partnership opportunities.

Click here for additional CML press announcements and media resources.

The post Library adds the Columbus Crew to its Culture Pass program, offering free tickets for checkout appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

“Ensuring that our young minds have what they need to succeed extends beyond literacy,” says CML CEO Lauren Hagan. “Students can’t focus on their schoolwork if they’re hungry. We deeply value the Children’s Hunger Alliance for their continued commitment and partnership.”

Click here for CML’s 2025 summer meals schedule.

The post Library to offer students free summer meals appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Now in its 15th year, From Book to Film offers library cardholders free admission to a series of films that were inspired by and adapted from books.

The 2025 From Book to Film series lineup:

• May 24-25: The War of the Worlds (1953)
• May 31-June 1: The Witches (1990)
• June 7-8: The Wizard of Oz (1939)
• June 14-15: The Iron Giant (1999)
• June 21-22: Matilda (1996)
• June 28-29: The Wild Robot (2024)
• July 5-6: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
• July 12-13: Shrek (2001)
• July 19-20: Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
• July 26-27: The Goonies (1985)
• Aug. 2-3: Jumanji (1995)
• Aug. 9-10: The Last Unicorn (1982)
• Aug. 16-17: The Labyrinth (1986)
• Aug. 23-24: The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)
• Aug. 30-31: The Neverending Story (1984)

From Book to Film screenings occur every Saturday and Sunday through Aug. 31. Admission is free (for up to four people) with a library card.

“At Gateway Film Foundation, we believe everyone deserves the chance to experience the joy and connection that watching movies together can bring,” said Christopher Hamel, program creator and Chief Executive Officer of Gateway Film Foundation. “Thanks to our community partners, we’re able to make that possible for families across central Ohio this summer.”

Gateway Film Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ohio Arts Council, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, Campus Partners, The Columbus Foundation, and thousands of individual donors. To learn more, visit gatewayfilmcenter.org.

The post Library partners with Gateway Film Center for free movie promotion appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

This exhibit is supported by the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation, with additional support from the Ohio History Connection.

The post Last chance to see library’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame exhibit appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Saturday, May 3 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Main Library | 96 S. Grant Ave.

Main Library will be transformed into the Star Wars universe and will include a swoop bike, a TIE fighter cockpit, a droid depot, a Jawa kitchen and an educational display featuring the famed blue milk organized by the Tatooine Dairy Farms. Guests will meet costumed characters from another galaxy with plenty of photo opportunities for all.

“We know that not everyone can afford to travel to the Disney Star Wars theme parks in Orlando, Florida or Anaheim, California,” says 501st Legion member Josh Beale. “Our goal is to bring the joy of Star Wars to kids and adults throughout Ohio with this free public event so they can feel that special movie magic right here in Columbus!”

The 501st Legion is an international Star Wars costuming club with over 14,000 active members in 69 countries and six continents. The organization is represented in Ohio by the Ohio Garrison (over 200 members) and central Ohio is represented by Arch City Squad (over 40 local members). One of the missions of the 501st Legion is supporting local communities and nonprofits through appearances at children’s hospitals, libraries, schools and more.

The day’s schedule:

9 a.m. | Build Your Own Lightsaber (Reading Room)
Build your own lightsaber powered by kyber crystals from the caves of Ilum. While supplies last. All ages.

9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Explore Your Favorite Star Wars Locations (Reading Room)
Grab your camera! The 501st Legion have taken over the Reading Room with recreated sets and props from Star Wars. Explore the cockpit recruiting station, visit Han in Carbonite, and grab a cup of blue milk from Java’s Café. There will also be crafts and activities! All ages.

9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Mid-Ohio Food Collective Food Drive (Reading Room)
Help make our galaxy a better place by donating nonperishable items for the 501st Legion’s food drive for the Mid-Ohio Food Collective! Click here for a list of their most requested food items. All ages.

11 a.m. | Star Wars Storytime (Children’s Area)
Join us for stories from a faraway galaxy and meet our special guests! Ages 0-6.

3-4 p.m. | Star Wars Trivia (Reading Room)
Put your Star Wars knowledge to the test for your chance to win a prize! All ages.

The post Library partners with the 501st Legion to host Star Wars-themed event at Main Library appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Two JAG Culture Passes are now available at CML’s Main Library and Barnett, Driving Park, Franklinton, Linden, Martin Luther King, Northside, Parsons, Shepard and Whitehall branches. For JAG Presents and Columbus Jazz Orchestra performances, each pass admits two individuals of any age. For PBJ & Jazz performances, each pass admits one group of 4-7 individuals of any age.

CML offers its cardholders free admission to select central Ohio cultural institutions. The Culture Pass program enables CML customers to borrow passes just as they would a book: using their library card. This onetime pass, which must be checked out in person, grants customers limited free access to institutions that would otherwise charge admission fees. Click here for more information.

CML piloted the program in 2018, offering Culture Passes to Franklin Park Conservatory and the Wexner Center for the Arts. Since then, CML has worked to expand the number of participating organizations.

“With the help of our community partners, we’re working to expose all central Ohioans to the many renowned cultural gems we are fortunate to have at our doorstep,” said CML Director of Marketing & Communications Gregg Dodd. “As a public library, our role is to ensure equal access to all, and that goes well beyond books.”

Current participating cultural organizations:

• BalletMet: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• CAPA: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Chamber Music Columbus: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Children’s Theatre: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Linden, Martin Luther King, Parsons and Shepard branches
• Columbus Clippers: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Linden, Martin Luther King, Parsons and Shepard branches
• Columbus Museum of Art: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Symphony: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Barnett, Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Marion-Franklin, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights, Northside, Parsons, Shepard and Whitehall branches
• Dawes Arboretum: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Franklin Park Conservatory: Passes available at CML’s Driving Park, Martin Luther King and Shepard branches
• Jazz Arts Group: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Barnett, Driving Park, Franklinton, Linden, Martin Luther King, Northside, Parsons, Shepard and Whitehall branches
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Barnett, Franklinton, Martin Luther King and Parsons branches
• Ohio History Center: Passes available at CML’s Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights and Northside branches
• Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• ProMusica: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Shadowbox Live: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Dublin, Gahanna, Hilliard and New Albany branches

The Culture Pass program offers each participating institution the opportunity to select which specific CML locations will offer their passes based on the neighborhoods and communities associated with their outreach, diversity and inclusion goals. Therefore, Culture Passes are only available for in-person customer checkout at the specific CML locations listed above. Culture Passes cannot be reserved like traditional library items. However, customers can check their availability at columbuslibrary.org by typing “Culture Pass” into the catalog search bar.

Each participating organization offers their passes to CML and its customers for free. CML does not purchase passes as it does with traditional library materials. Each organization sets its own rules for how many individuals are covered under its passes and on which days the passes will be honored. Partner organizations also set the number of passes allotted to each designated CML location.

The Culture Pass program previously included the Wexner Center for the Arts, however since admission to the museum is now free, both partners are exploring new partnership opportunities.

Click here for additional CML press announcements and media resources.

The post Library adds the Jazz Arts Group of Columbus to its Culture Pass program, offering free admission for checkout appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

To coincide with the exhibit, CML will host rock-themed programs for customers of all ages, including Storytimes, crafting and music programs for kids, as well as trivia and history programs for adults. Click here for the full schedule of programs and events.

This exhibit is supported by the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation, with additional support from the Ohio History Connection.

The post Library releases schedule of programs and events to coincide with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame exhibit appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

To coincide with the exhibit, CML will host rock-themed programs for customers of all ages, including Storytimes, crafting and music programs for kids, as well as trivia and history programs for adults.

This exhibit is supported by the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation, with additional support from the Ohio History Connection.

The post Library partners with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to bring artifacts and programs to central Ohio appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Two Chamber Music Columbus Culture Passes are now available at each of CML’s 23 locations. Each pass admits two individuals to select performances.

CML offers its cardholders free admission to select central Ohio cultural institutions. The Culture Pass program enables CML customers to borrow passes just as they would a book: using their library card. This onetime pass, which must be checked out in person, grants customers limited free access to institutions that would otherwise charge admission fees. Click here for more information.

CML piloted the program in 2018, offering Culture Passes to Franklin Park Conservatory and the Wexner Center for the Arts. Since then, CML has worked to expand the number of participating organizations.

“With the help of our community partners, we’re working to expose all central Ohioans to the many renowned cultural gems we are fortunate to have at our doorstep,” said CML Chief Community Engagement Officer Donna Zuiderweg. “As a public library, our role is to ensure equal access to all, and that goes well beyond books.”

Current participating cultural organizations:

• BalletMet: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• CAPA: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Chamber Music Columbus: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Children’s Theatre: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Linden, Martin Luther King, Parsons and Shepard branches
• Columbus Clippers: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Linden, Martin Luther King, Parsons and Shepard branches
• Columbus Guitar Society: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Museum of Art: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Symphony: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Barnett, Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Marion-Franklin, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights, Northside, Parsons, Shepard and Whitehall branches
• Dawes Arboretum: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Franklin Park Conservatory: Passes available at CML’s Driving Park, Martin Luther King and Shepard branches
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Barnett, Franklinton, Martin Luther King and Parsons branches
• Ohio History Center: Passes available at CML’s Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights and Northside branches
• Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• ProMusica: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Shadowbox Live: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Dublin, Gahanna, Hilliard and New Albany branches

The Culture Pass program offers each participating institution the opportunity to select which specific CML locations will offer their passes based on the neighborhoods and communities associated with their outreach, diversity and inclusion goals. Therefore, Culture Passes are only available for in-person customer checkout at the specific CML locations listed above. Culture Passes cannot be reserved like traditional library items. However, customers can check their availability at columbuslibrary.org by typing “Culture Pass” into the catalog search bar.

Each participating organization offers their passes to CML and its customers for free. CML does not purchase passes as it does with traditional library materials. Each organization sets its own rules for how many individuals are covered under its passes and on which days the passes will be honored. Partner organizations also set the number of passes allotted to each designated CML location.

The Culture Pass program previously included the Wexner Center for the Arts, however since admission to the museum is now free, both partners are exploring new partnership opportunities.

Click here for additional CML press announcements and media resources.

The post Library adds Chamber Music Columbus to its Culture Pass program, offering free admission for checkout appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.