NEWS ARCHIVE
It’s JOHN GREEN during TEEN READ WEEK!
We are thrilled to welcome the clever, witty and insightful best-selling author (and failed earthworm scientist) John Green during Teen Read Week. You won’t want to miss out as John discusses his books (including his latest, Paper Towns) along with everything from video blogging to the pain of dental surgery!
Visit John Green at one of these scheduled appearances:
Tuesday, Oct. 20
Linden Branch: 10 a.m.
Hilliard Branch: 1 p.m.
Main Library: 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Dublin Branch: 1 p.m.
Hilltop Branch: 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 22
Northern Lights Branch: 10 a.m.
Southeast Branch: 1 p.m.
Reynoldsburg Branch: 7 p.m.
BIG BOOK DRIVE
Friends of the Library are holding a city-wide book drive throughout the month of September to supply materials for their annual Big Book Sale. If you have any gently-used books, DVD’s, CD’s, or videos you would like to donate, please take them to any Columbus Metropolitan Library location. A receipt can be provided to you for tax purposes.
This year’s Big Book Sale will be held at Main Library from October 15-17. Mark your calendar now so you won’t miss it!
Money raised annually at the sale allows the Friends to provide funding for library programs like the Summer Reading Club and Homework Help Centers. Your donation to the Big Book Drive will help make this year’s sale another huge success!
Use the “Contact Us” link listed above on this page, or contact Doug Motz in the Library Store at 849-1008 if you have questions.
PBJ & Jazz at the Topiary Park Series Closes This Weekend
A group of young Columbus jazz musicians including alumni and current members of the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra will present Youth Jam at noon on Saturday, September 19. This is the final concert of this new summer series, which takes place at the Topiary Park adjacent to the Columbus Main Library.
PBJ & Jazz concerts are one-hour long interactive concerts designed to introduce jazz and American music to young children and their families. Featuring some of Columbus finest musicians and ensembles, the concerts are hosted by Rebecca Ogden and are a great introduction to live music for the youngest audience member.
The concert is free and open to the public; guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and a blanket. The Topiary Park concert themes are tied to the themes presented at family storytime at the main library from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
The Topiary Park is located at 480 E. Town St. in downtown Columbus. The Columbus Main Library is located at 96 S. Grant Ave. In the event of rain, concerts will be held inside the library.
The series is presented by Friends of the Topiary Park and sponsored by the Jennifer M. Keefer Memorial Fund at the Columbus Foundation, Friends of the Library, and Franklin County Neighborhood Arts. In-kind support is provided by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and the Discovery District Special Improvement District.
PBJ & Jazz continues this fall at the newly renovated Lincoln Theatre Complex (769 E. Long St.) Concerts will be held in the ballroom, beginning at 11 a.m., on Saturdays, November 7; January 9, 2010; February 13; and March 6.
For more information, visit www.jazzartsgroup.org, www.TopiaryPark.org, or www.ColumbusLibrary.org.
100 LEAGUES UNDER THE C
The Friends of the Library and the The Ohio Art League are pleased to present “100 Leagues Under the C”, a themed, peer juried exhibition. Works creatively interpret the number 100 in celebration of the League’s centennial. The show opens with a reception in the Main Library’s Carnegie Gallery on September 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The exhibit will run through October 23. 2009.
Ohio Art League is a membership-based, nonprofit, visual arts organization that provides exhibition and professional development opportunities to artists and enriches the community through art.
GREEN BOOK BAGS
Check out our new Friends of the Library book bags...environmentally friendly and made from recycled plastics! They are now available in Royal as well as the fun summer colors of Grape, Cherry and Lime.
They measure 15 inches high x 12 inches wide x 9 inches long... and carry twice what our old bags could handle ( a cubic foot of books! ) for half the price. They collapse easily when empty and can be stored nearly anywhere. Get one for only $3.99 at the Library Store!
FREE FAMILY CONCERTS AT TOPIARY PARK
This Saturday, June 20, Columbus Jazz Arts Group will present a free family concert in the Topiary Park, located just behind the Main Library. "Get a Clue: Listen" will take place from 12:00-1:00 following Family Storytime. Families are invited to bring a picnic lunch and a blanket. (If it rains, the concert will be held inside the Main Library.) This summer series is a collaborative effort between JAG, Friends of the Topiary Park and Friends of the Library.
Pack up your PB and J's and listen to some jazz! Future Saturday concert dates: July 18, August 15, and September 19, all at 12:00. For more info.
OUR FRIEND GREG SHORT
This video (featured in the CML 2008 Annual Report) features our Friends of the Library Vice President Greg Short discussing the importance of being a Friend and how the library has impacted his life. Greg, and all our Friends, find meaning in raising funds and awareness for library programs and resources which results in a win-win for all: The Friends bring the library to the public, and the public gives back to the library.
PULP ART II
The Columbus Metropolitan Library and the Friends of the Library are pleased to host Roy G Biv Gallery’s 2nd annual exhibit "Pulp Art II." The exhibit opens Thursday, May 14 with a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, and runs through Sunday, June 28th. All works will be paper based including: drawing, painting, printmaking, 3-D sculpture, traditional and antique photographic processes, and book arts.
ROY G BIV Gallery for Emerging Artists is an independent, nonprofit art space located in the historic Short North neighborhood of Columbus. Founded in 1989, ROY G BIV has shown the work of hundreds of artists and is known for presenting excellent, challenging work by artists from around the country with an emphasis on Ohio artists.
ART IN THE HOUSE
The Columbus Metropolitan Library and the Friends of the Library is proud to feature works from the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s (GCAC) Art in the House program. The gallery showcases the best work of artists ages 5-12 from local settlement houses. This Art in the House exhibition was inspired by the Frank Museum's 2009 exhibition "Uncommon Threads: Blankets and Robes from Sierra Leone and Ghana" located at Otterbein College. Following visits to the Frank Museum, lead artists from the Art in the House program designed activities for children participating in the program. The activities focused on patterns, symbolism, weaving textiles, African countries and culture. These lessons influenced the children's creations displayed at the library.
The exhibit runs from March 5 to April 27.
A VISIT FROM NANCY PEARL
Thanks to support from FOL, nationally known reading advocate Nancy Pearl visited CML in February, presenting programs for the public as well as library staff. We all rely on our librarians to recommend books and resources. Nancy's program for staff was designed to help them become even better "readers' advisors." Supporting our staff and enhancing the experience of CML customers--that's what the Friends of the Library is all about. Pearl also presented a talk to the public on Wednesday, February 11. Despite the loss of electricity at the branch, a hardy group of book and library enthusiasts stayed and listened to Nancy Pearl in the dark! Friends of the LIbrary really are a committed group.
When you become a Friend of the Library, your membership helps to support a variety of educational and community outreach programs, including Summer Reading Club, Homework Help Centers, and Teen Read Week. 
