Development News: Gahanna's New Library

Open to All: Gahanna’s Library Serves as One of the City’s Newest Welcoming Destinations

By Dan Pearlman

“I think the new library is great.”

Those are the words of Donny Murray, a Gahanna father of two young boys who were among the 4,335 visitors to stop by the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s new Gahanna Branch on the day it opened.

“We spent most of our time in the kids’ area, which is most important to us with the two young ones, but all of the hands-on activities they had were awesome,” Murray said.

The new branch opened to the public on March 4, the day that also marked CML’s 150th birthday. It is a 35,300-square-foot, two-story facility that is nearly double the size of the old branch which sat in the same location. The branch is comprised of many exciting features, including a teen area, school help center, children’s area with new activities, three large meeting rooms, nine study rooms, triple the number of tables and seats as the previous facility, a section dedicated to sharing Gahanna’s history, and a drive-thru book drop to make returning items more convenient for patrons.

Ribbon cutting ceremony

“This amazing new library is the community’s library,” said Nate Oliver, Gahanna Branch Manager. “This is a public institution – a public library. It belongs to all of us, so I just hope that everybody here in the community can find what they need from our library services, experience the great things that we have to offer, and make this something valuable to each and every person.”

Preliminary discussions about the new library began in 2018. When the pandemic hit in 2020, the project was put on hold, with uncertainty as to whether it would ever move forward. After months of evaluation, the CML Board of Trustees announced that the project would continue and work resumed on plans for the new branch. Construction on the library began in June 2021, based on designs led by NBBJ architect and Gahanna resident, Michael Suriano.

“I am terribly biased, but I think we’ve really nailed this project,” said Patrick Losinski, CML’s Chief Executive Officer. “I think it’s just a great success story.”

Reading inside the new library

Losinski has expressed gratitude for all parties involved in this project, including Gahanna residents Don and Lisal Gorman, whose generous donation helped make the facility a reality and whose names are seen at the building’s entryway.

“It’s not often that you have a chance to have a dream, realize it and then leave a lifelong legacy at the same time,” Don said. “It’s incredible.”

The Gormans are hoping that their donation will inspire others to give to CML, while they also hope generations to come enjoy the new branch. When they learned more than 4,300 people visited the branch on its opening day, they simultaneously exclaimed, “Wow!”

Inside the children's area

“It’s a safe place to have fun, to learn, to get together with your community, and to grow,” said Lisal. “It’s good to see.”

The City’s Department of Parks & Recreation is working with CML to build the Link to Literacy – a trail that will connect the library to the Creekside District. Murray is among the many residents excited for that trail to open to the public.

“It’ll definitely make it easier to get to the library,” he said. “It’s also just another experience -- to be able to take the kids over to the park and have a good time outside. It’s all about making connections in the community.”

For more information, go to columbuslibrary.org or visit the new library at 310 Granville St., Gahanna, OH 43230.