Columbus Metropolitan Library Opens New Barnett Branch on East Side
Columbus Metropolitan Library officially opened its new Barnett Branch on Thursday, marking a major expansion of library services on the city’s east side. The new facility, located at 3434 E. Livingston Ave., replaces the former branch on the same site and nearly doubles its size.
The modern building spans approximately 22,000 square feet, up from the previous 12,300 square feet, and is designed to serve learners of all ages. Hundreds of community members attended the grand opening and dedication ceremony, alongside city leaders and invited guests.
Mayor Andrew Ginther and Columbus City Council member Lourdes Barroso de Padilla addressed attendees during the event, highlighting the role of public libraries as centers for learning, opportunity, and community life.
The new Barnett Branch offers a wide range of amenities, including three meeting rooms and four study rooms available for public use. The Children’s area has been significantly expanded to support reading, play, computer access, and educational programs. A dedicated teen space provides books, computers, and quiet study areas tailored to young people.
Among the new features are a game room and a recording studio, reflecting the library’s focus on creativity and digital learning. The branch also includes a Learning Center where students can receive free after school academic support, along with public computers and a business center for job seekers and entrepreneurs.
Additional features include commissioned works of public art, comfortable seating areas for reading and relaxation, and a carefully selected collection of library materials intended to reflect the needs and interests of the surrounding community.
The site originally opened in 1992 as the Livingston Branch and was renamed the Barnett Branch in 2019. Construction of the new building began after a ceremonial wallbreaking on May 22, 2024. Turner served as construction manager at risk, with Schooley Caldwell and Evoke Studio as project architects.
The Barnett Branch is now open with the following hours:
Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Library officials say the new branch represents a long term investment in education, access, and community connection for residents on Columbus’s east side.
