Columbus Metropolitan Library – Franklinton Branch

Draped full-​wall-​length windows. Optional fabric shades. Comfortable temperatures. I love tucking away to calm my mind and rest on whatever I have to read in this library’s side room. There’s almost never anybody here.
I’m a little nervous about posting this review, what if there’s a sudden barrage of people in this room? Haha: P

While this location has the nicest employees that were more than helpful and waived the fee on my one day late return
($ 1.25 a day is steep and I thought I could keep them 7 days not 5, lesson learned)
it is the smallest out of all of the ones I have been to.
Though they still have a good selection and a ton of new releases.
My son found a bunch of great books and dvds, I found everything I needed, so if you are not planning to spend alot of time this will still fulfill your needs.
They do have a small seating area and some computers but it is by fa less than other locations.

Columbus Metro is definitely the best library I’ve experienced in Ohio. It was rated the #1 U.S. library system in 2005, and #3 in 2006. I can see why. There are tons of branches in the surrounding areas, and the main branch is huge and amazing.
But the real deal is that you can «read off» your fines twice a year. Yeah, if you rack up $ 80 dollars in fines, you can go into the library and read whatever you want, meanwhile they credit your fines with $ 8 for every hour you read. So I sat in the library and read some books I’ve been meaning to read, and ten hours later (not all at once) I could actually check them out. That’s the single most forgiving library policy I’ve ever heard of. And I have sinned against more libraries than I count.

One of the best things about living in Central Ohio is the library system. The emphasis on service, on helping people get what they want as easily as possible, has produced a truly outstanding institution. I wish there was some way to graft this attitude onto other aspects of the local government. COTA, I’m looking your way.

Holy mother of GOD. This is the most amazing library I’ve ever been to in my life. It’s better than my university’s library. It’s seriously amazing.
First off, the library is more than just one building. It’s an entire system, with branches in every city you can imagine. I lived right by the New Albany branch, which was gorgeous and modern. It was equipped with computers, music, DVDs, audio books, and (of course) books.
The best part of the Columbus Metropolitan Library is their online function. Through their website, you can search for books in the system and reserve them, even if they aren’t available at your local branch or are already checked out. You are notified via email when the books you have reserved arrive at your local branch (which is usually in a couple of days) or when a book that was previously checked out has been returned. You can also sign up to receive an email notifying you when books are about to be due, which makes it SO much easier to return them on time.
I have lived in a lot of different places, and Columbus’ library system has seriously spoiled me. Kudos, Columbus!