Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation

Who We Are: Andrew Carnegie’svision of a public library in every community and his subsequent generosity led to the creation of Columbus Metropolitan Library in 1873. Since then, CML has grown to include downtown’s Main Library, 22 additional branch locations in Franklin County, and outreach programs for people of all ages throughout the community. In 1990, the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation was established to provide a way for friends and partners to support the library’s immediate needs and long-range plans through philanthropy.

What We Do: Columbus Metropolitan Library strives to create a thriving community where wisdom prevails by inspiring reading, sharing resources and connecting people. To achieve this vision, the library provides programming in three core areas:

Young Minds: addresses critical educational needs of youth and teens, including kindergarten readiness, third grade reading proficiency, pandemic learning loss, and high school graduation
My Library: ensures the library’s growing physical and digital spaces meet changing customer needs and expectations
Life Skills: offers tools and resources for adults to reach their full potential, including access to social services and digital literacy initiatives

Why We’re Important: Columbus Metropolitan Library provides vital services for everyone in the central Ohio community at no charge. From early literacy and homework help to social services and digital equity, the library is a safe space for anyone looking to read, learn, gather, and build skills for a successful future. As we grapple with significant pandemic-fueled learning loss and a tight labor market, the need for library services has never been greater. Generous donations to the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation ensure funding is available for the new innovations and program expansion necessary to meet the ever-changing needs of our community.

How We Impact the Community: A library is democracy’s best-kept promise that knowledge and information will be accessible to all. In 2021, CML circulated 11.3 million books, welcomed 2.2 million visitors, and engaged 580,000 cardholders. This included 23,000 school help visits, virtual Ready for Kindergarten classes reaching 600 preschoolers, and a Summer Reading Challenge for 22,000 kids, teens, and adults. We also made 9,600 connections to resources for jobseekers. In addition to Main Library and 22 branch locations, CML served 10 public school districts, shared books and materials with 17 Central Ohio library systems, and delivered 61,000 books to 400 classrooms through School Delivery.

How You Can Help: There are many ways you can help sustain and expand the library’s impact in the community. These include:

supporting our Annual Fund, especially on Library Giving Day
ensuring the library’s future by including us as a beneficiary in your estate plans
directing corporate grants and sponsorships to the library
creating a fundraiser to celebrate a meaningful moment in your life
offering in-kind goods and services
attending the Sesquicentennial Book Festival and other events
joining Friends of the Library and advocating for library services
shopping at the Library Store and enjoying coffee at library cafés
volunteering–teens welcome!