When the library closed for construction last April, its homeless outreach services moved to the Open Shelter on East Mound Street, a few blocks west of the main branch.įor two hours a day Monday through Thursday, outreach services connect the homeless to emergency food, shelter and clothing, employment programs, health care providers, permanent housing and substance-abuse treatment, says Lisa Defendiefer, deputy director of operations and advocacy for the special improvement districts.Ĭommunity partners include Maryhaven, Health Care for the Homeless, Southeast, Inc. So a coordinated effort with the Capital Crossroads and Discovery special improvement districts-which cover 80 square blocks Downtown-sought a temporary location for the outreach resources the Downtown branch had provided. Zenitsky says library officials anticipated the hardships the library's approximate 16-month closure could cause for the homeless. Beyond that, the library offers access to computers and a dedicated space for resources to connect the homeless to emergency assistance, medical care and housing options.Īlthough job-help centers are also available at the library's branches-including its Parsons, Northside, Martin Luther King and Franklinton urban branches-"we realize that getting there is not always an option for people in the homeless community," says library spokesman Ben Zenitsky. The draw? The availability of simple necessities-a warm place, a bathroom, a drinking fountain. Often, they line up at the library's entrance, waiting for it to open. Many of the homeless are regulars at the library on South Grant Avenue, heading there after spending the night on the streets or when Downtown's overnight shelters empty in the early morning. None, perhaps, felt it more than the homeless population. When Columbus Metropolitan Libraryofficials decided to close the main branch Downtown during its $35 million renovation, patrons were sure to be put out. One year after its opening, the library saw a 55 percent increase in customer visits, a 40 percent increase in the checkout of children’s books, and more than 1,700 new library cards issued.With the main Columbus library closed until June, the homeless around Downtown have lost a valuable resource.
King, the branch emphasizes African and African American history, heritage and culture by displaying a collection of art and artifacts throughout the space. that reads: “Out of a mountain of sorrow, a stone of hope.” In addition to honoring the work of Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr., the design is a metaphorical response to the MLK monument in Washington D.C.
Columbus metropolitan library main branch free#
The large computer room provides free internet access-a vital resource for the community to study, pay bills or search for jobs.Īs the first branch library in the United States to be named after Dr. 39% of neighborhood residents do not have access to a stable internet connection, and 11% have no internet at all. MLK in mind, the library operates as a service center, offering critical resources to children and their families such as after-school care and homework help programs. Located in King-Lincoln Bronzeville- a historically African American neighborhood-the library is walkable from both the elementary and high schools, making it accessible to children and those without access to transportation.ĭesigned with the teachings of Dr. By providing critical educational and social resources to the community, the Columbus Metropolitan Library Martin Luther King Branch uplifts and empowers the neighborhood it serves.
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