Have you visited Northwest Library in Columbus? Opened in 1996, it is the first library in Ohio to be jointly operated by two library systems – Worthington Libraries and Columbus Metropolitan Libraries. The two systems came together on this project because of the overlap in service area between the two communities.
Construction for the branch began in 1994 and we are lucky that it was documented with photos that we can share today, including interior construction and some of the first public events held at Northwest.
Installing Computers During the Northwest Library Construction
Courtesy Worthington Memory
From Worthington Memory: ” In 1996, the Worthington Libraries began offering “Cyberschools” at both of its locations, the Old Worthington and the Northwest libraries. These classes taught attendees computer basics, from turning on a computer and using a mouse to searching for information online. One of the most popular Cyberschools offered was “An Introduction to the World Wide Web.”
Today, Northwest Library offers a Homework Help Center, Poetry Path and backyard where concerts are held, meeting and study rooms, and even a cozy fireplace area. You can check out air quality monitors, auto code readers and battery chargers, light therapy lamps, and more, and you can even pick up your materials in their drive through window service.
You can see more photos of Northwest Library’s construction and inaugural events at DPLA.