Local Library Visits

Local Library Visits can only be booked on-site during the congress.

1 Greater Columbus Libraries Tour (3 Full Day Tours offered)

Three full-day tours of libraries in Franklin and Delaware Counties will be offered free of charge for up to 55 participants per tour. All busses will depart from the Convention Center at approximately 8:00 and return by 17:30. Lunch and light snacks will be provided during the tour.

Option A:

Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Operations Center

Opened in 2002, the 55,000 square foot Operations Center houses several of CML’s support departments: Information Technology, Property Management, Ready to Read Corps, and Technical Services. Not open to the general public we’ll take a behind the scenes tour of the building. You’ll also be given an opportunity to see a PopUp Library during your visit.
The GHPL PopUp Library is a low-speed, electric vehicle specially customized to transport and display library materials. It was introduced by the Grandview Heights Public Library (GHPL) in Columbus, Ohio, in 2015, and was funded with private money by the GHPL Foundation: www.ghpl.org

Whitehall Branch Library

Opened in 2015, the 20.000 square foot Whitehall branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library features the Carol Snowden Children’s Room, built with funds provided by former children’s librarian Carol Snowden, a sound booth for recording, five community meeting rooms, a Homework Help Center, a quiet study room with a fireplace, a dedicated Teen Space and a drive up window.

Bexley Public Library

Located near downtown in the suburb of Bexley, the library was founded in 1924 and was originally housed at Bexley High School.  The current building was opened in 1929 and the architects drew upon French and Italian architecture from the 17th century for the design.  The building has undergone expansions and renovations over the years.  1992 was the last major renovation.
Since 2009 the Bexley Library has added a homework help center and a computer training lab. The library is known for its outstanding programming, friendly atmosphere, and community focus.

Driving Park Branch Library

Opened in July of 2014, the 15.000 square foot Driving Park branch library features an expanded Homework Help Center, an inviting children’s space with a Ready for Kindergarten area, 50 public computers, a Teen area with a You Media mentor and three meeting rooms.

Columbus Metropolitan Library‘s Main Library

Built in 1907 with funds provided by Andrew Carnegie, the Main Library was remodelled in 1991 and is currently closed for renovation. Scheduled to be opened in 2016 in time for the IFLA World Congress, the renovated Main Library will feature an enhanced front plaza, direct access to the nearby Topiary Garden, a new children’s area, and a reading room and events space.  We’re excited to show our renovated Main Library to the IFLA Congress delegates!

Option B:

Columbus Metropolitan Library‘s Main Library

Built in 1907 by funds provided by Andrew Carnegie, the Main Library was remodeled in 1991 and is currently closed for renovation. Scheduled to be opened in 2016 in time for the IFLA World Congress, the renovated Main Library will feature an enhanced front plaza, direct access to the nearby Topiary Garden, a new children’s area, and a reading room and events space.  We’re excited to show our renovated Main Library to the IFLA Congress delegates!

Parsons Branch

Scheduled to be open in 2016 the Parsons branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library will be 19.000 + square foot and feature an expanded Homework Help Center, dedicated Teen Space, and a Ready for Kindergarten Space.

Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Operations Center

Opened in 2002, the 55,000 square foot Operations Center houses several of CML’s support departments: Information Technology, Property Management, Ready to Read Corps, and Technical Services. Not open to the general public we’ll take a behind the scenes tour of the building. You’ll also be given an opportunity to see a PopUp Library during your visit.
The GHPL PopUp Library is a low-speed, electric vehicle specially customized to transport and display library materials. It was introduced by the Grandview Heights Public Library (GHPL) in Columbus, Ohio, in 2015, and was funded with private money by the GHPL Foundation: www.ghpl.org

Courtright Memorial Library at Otterbein University

Originally dedicated in 1972 to serve as the heart of campus, the Courtright Memorial Library was reimagined in 2013 in the first stage of a series of improvements driven by feedback from all levels of our community. This redesign culminated in a Learning Commons, collaborative spaces, a Starbucks Café, shared study spaces, an engaging children’s collection, and increased technology and support. The Center for Teaching & Learning’s Faculty Suite provides a faculty-focused, safe, and knowledge-rich space for pedagogical and design support. The Academic Support Center connects tutors with students while also coordinating our Disability Services programs. Support for the arts is reflected in the Becker art gallery and the student art collection. University Archives hosts the Salt Reading Room, where guests can delve into the stories of Otterbein University and the United Brethren Church. The Courtright Memorial Library is an academic library in transition, building for the future while working in the present.

Upper Arlington Public Library

The Upper Arlington Public Library’s three locations serve the Columbus suburb of Upper Arlington, which is home to a diverse population ranging from families to active retirees to Ohio State University students and staff. Visit our Main Library to see our Early Learning Center for young patrons, art displays by local students, a 100-seat theater and more.

Option C:

Columbus Metropolitan Library‘s Main Library

Built in 1907 by funds provided by Andrew Carnegie, the Main Library was remodeled in 1991 and is currently closed for renovation. Scheduled to be opened in 2016 in time for the IFLA World Congress, the renovated Main Library will feature an enhanced front plaza, direct access to the nearby Topiary Garden, a new children’s area, and a reading room and events space.  We’re excited to show our renovated Main Library to the IFLA Congress delegates!

Northwest Library

Opened in 1996, Northwest Library sits on the border of the Columbus and Worthington library districts and is a cooperative project of both Worthington Libraries and Columbus Metropolitan Library. The two library systems shared in the start-up costs of the facility and now share the ongoing operational costs. The library is managed and staffed by Worthington Libraries.

Northwest Library is 25.481 square foot on one floor. Its distinguishing features include: a large children’s area with classic story time characters; unique space for teens; Homework Help Center; drive-through pickup window for reserves; outdoor performance space; exterior lockers for after-hours materials pickup; and a garden Poetry Path which features the work of six poets on permanent display.  Northwest Library has a physical collection of more than 250.000 items and circulated nearly 1.6 million items in 2014.

Worthington Libraries was the 2007 National Library of the Year and has been ranked as a Five-Star Library in each edition of Library Journal’s Index of Public Library Service. It is one of only 20 libraries in the country to achieve this distinction and is the ninth highest circulating library in the state, behind only the eight metropolitan systems. Worthington Libraries serves a school district population of approximately 80.000 residents.

Orange Branch, Delaware County Library

The Orange Branch of the Delaware County District Library was opened in 2011 to serve as a “living room” for the rapidly expanding communities of southern Delaware County. The 33.000 square foot building features plenty of flexible people-space, a large children’s area, teen room, and the outdoor Imagination Garden containing pieces from Delaware county artists.  Designed to LEED Silver specifications, the branch makes effective use of natural light and employs an innovative and efficient “active chilled beam” HVAC system. A prominent fixture of the branch is the fireplace and chimney of Ohio blue vein limestone, an element that helped the branch earn the Builders Exchange Craftsmanship Award for Masonry.

Westerville Public Library

This community library holds the coveted 5-star rating from Library Journal magazine and consistently ranks in the top 1% among U.S. public libraries with a district population of 85.000. This is a single-building library organization.

With striking architectural elements, the library spans 100.000 square foot and includes self-checkouts, a beverage service, gift shop and a drive-up window.

A particular emphasis here is on the Children’s Place, which earned the Columbus Parent magazine award as Best Library Children’s Area for 2014. Marquee-light signage, custom-painted murals and wooden sit-in vehicles attract families.  An Imagination Station is regularly transformed into a themed exhibit, with toys and games that entertain and educate.

Cutting-edge technology is highly valued here as customers benefit from photo and video editing software and early literacy computers loaded with games for toddlers.  Touch-screen stations offer way-finding and program information.  Tech-savvy staff give instruction using the library’s samples of hand-held devices.

Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Operations Center

Opened in 2002, the 55,000 square foot Operations Center houses several of CML’s support departments: Information Technology, Property Management, Ready to Read Corps, and Technical Services. Not open to the general public we’ll take a behind the scenes tour of the building. You’ll also be given an opportunity to see a PopUp Library during your visit.
The GHPL PopUp Library is a low-speed, electric vehicle specially customized to transport and display library materials. It was introduced by the Grandview Heights Public Library (GHPL) in Columbus, Ohio, in 2015, and was funded with private money by the GHPL Foundation: www.ghpl.org

2 The Ohio State University Libraries

Tours will depart from the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum (Sullivant Hall – 1813 N High Street, Columbus, Ohio).
Time: 09:00 and 13:00

Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum

The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum (BICLM) (http://cartoons.osu.edu), located in the recently renovated Sullivant Hall, houses the world’s largest collection of cartoon art and comics materials.  BICLM includes three exhibit galleries, a reading room, and a classroom.  It is also one of the first new spaces in a vibrant university Arts District emerging near Sullivant Hall.

Thompson Library

The Thompson Library, opened in 1913, was the object of a transformative three-year renovation project which concluded in 2009.  The renovated library features a blend of unique traditional and contemporary spaces for individual and group study.  The facility includes numerous rooms available for presentations and programs, making the Thompson Library an important center for a wide variety of activities.  With seating for nearly 2.000 customers, the Thompson Library is a dynamic center for learning and discovery.

The Research Commons

The Research Commons at the 18th Avenue Library leverages numerous campus partnerships to provide support services at each state of the research lifecycle.  It is designed to support and enable researchers at all levels through consultations, education and training, referrals, and a space to showcase their research output.

3 OCLC

Location: Dublin, Ohio
Time:
Tour 1:  09:00 – 11:00 *
Tour 2:  10:30 – 12:30 *
Tour 3:  13:30 – 15:30 *
Tour 4:  15:00 – 17:00 *
Note*:  Buses will depart from the Convention Center 35 minutes prior to the designated tour time and return 35 minutes after the tour concludes.

OCLC is the world’s leading library cooperative that provides research, technologies and services that help thousands of libraries around the world serve their users.
OCLC and its member libraries cooperatively produce and maintain WorldCat, the world’s largest online database for discovery of library resources.  With headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, USA, OCLC operates offices, data centers and engineering sites around the world.
This tour of OCLC headquarters includes an opportunity to meet OCLC’s leaders, visit the OCLC Library, Archives and Museum, and tour the OCLC Operations Command Center and OCLC Data Center.  You’ll see unique items in the OCLC Library, including Melvil Dewey’s hand-penned notes in the first edition Classification and Subject Index for a Library, and a museum illustrating OCLC’s rich history.  You’ll also see the OCLC Operations Command Center, the support center for OCLC products and services, and OCLC Data Center.
More about OCLC is at www.oclc.org.

4 Chemical Abstracts Service

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Time:
Tour 1:  9:00-11:00 (Bus departs at 8:30)
Tour 2:  10:30-12:30 (Bus departs at 10:00)
Tour 3:  13:30-15:30 (Bus departs at 13:00)
Tour 4:  15:00-17:00 (Bus departs at 14:30)

Tours are limited to 28 participants per tour.

Chemical Abstracts Service provides the world’s largest collection of chemistry and related scientific information online.  There is not a physical library with books, but tour guests will explore how we create our unique digitized content in the chemical sciences, along with a tour of our campus including our world class data center.

Tours can accommodate guests in languages other than English.
We have over 40 languages represented in our offices.

Light refreshments and snacks will be provided during each tour.

5 School Libraries Tour

Location: Various
Time: Depart Columbus at 09:30 and return at 15:30

Bexley is home to Columbus School for Girls and Bexley City Schools. With a population of over 13,000 people, it is known as a first-ring suburb of Columbus because of its close proximity to downtown. Bexley is known for its “historic and close-knit neighborhoods, highly ranked public school system, its classic and walkable Main Street environment, its prestigious private schools located within its borders, and its status as the home of Capital University”.

Columbus School for Girls Libraries

Through the Columbus School for Girls libraries students have access to over 70 databases and electronic resources and tens of thousands of print and non-print materials using LibGuides pages and the catalogs of Beaton Library and Power Library. Many of the digital resources are searchable and accessible directly via the online catalog. Research skill building takes place by way of curricular assignments and projects that result in accomplished readers and researchers ready for college level work at a skill level notably above their peers. The librarians work with classroom teachers to create class pages for projects and assignments so that assignments are scaffolded to fit the research skill level of the students.

Walnut Springs Middle School Virtual Tour, Westerville/OH

During the Columbus School for Girls tour, participants will be able to participate in a Virtual Tour of an award-winning library “The Center for Inspiration”. Walnut Springs Middle School is located in Westerville, Ohio. The Westerville City School District serves a culturally and economically diverse 52-square-mile area in northeastern Franklin and southern Delaware counties. The Westerville City School District educates approximately 14,800 students, 950 of which attend Walnut Springs Middle School. WCS is the 11th-largest district in Ohio and enjoys a history of being recognized by the Ohio Department of Education as a high-performing school district. The district operates fourteen elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools, an Early Learning Center and an Academic Enrichment Center. All three district high schools have been identified by Newsweek Magazine as being among the best high schools in America.

Bexley City School Libraries

Bexley City Schools (BCS) has four libraries that serve a total of 2,300 students. Two libraries are housed in the main Cassingham Complex: The High School Library, serving grades 9-12, and the Middle School/Cassingham Elementary Library, serving students in grades 6-8 and students in grades K-5. Montrose Elementary Library, located in south Bexley, and Maryland Elementary Library, located in north Bexley, both serve grades K-5. All BCS libraries have impressive print and digital collections, and each library houses a desktop computer lab. Each library is staffed by a fulltime librarian who works closely with classroom teachers to design lessons to satisfy the needs of particular classes, meet state standards, and teach research and information literacy skills. The librarians work with a team of students each morning to live stream morning announcements for their respective schools.

St. Charles Preparatory School Media Center

St. Charles Preparatory School is a 9th-12th grade Catholic high school educating young men in the Diocese of Columbus. The school was founded in 1923 by Bishop James J. Hartley, the fourth Bishop of the Columbus Diocese, and following its completion in 1925, the beautiful campus sits on the east bank of the Alum Creek in Bexley. Bishop Hartley’s goal was to give Catholic young men, regardless of means, a rigorous education thus ensuring their success at any college or university.  His hope also, was that the school would provide generations of “native clergy” in Columbus. With this year’s ninetieth graduating class of 2016, at least 200 of the nearly 5000 alumni have become priests. In addition, most of the alumni have enjoyed professional success and have contributed in faith to their local communities.