Our Let’s Give program highlights a new community partner each month that demonstrates several characteristics we admire in local organizations and businesses. This April, we’re thrilled to showcase Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML), who happens to be celebrating their sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary this year!
Can you say ses·qui·cen·ten·ni·al? That’s 150 years of creating a thriving community where wisdom prevails by inspiring reading, sharing resources and connecting people. The library is synonymous with community, and we deeply admire how CML – which was founded as a single reading room – has grown to 23 library branches throughout Franklin County, providing spaces that are open to all. From students seeking help with school to book lovers checking out dozens of titles, we are grateful to have this valuable resource in our neighborhoods – including our local Franklinton Branch.
Libraries don’t turn 150 years old every day, and Columbus Metropolitan Library is throwing a year-long celebration to celebrate this milestone, including several opportunities to engage this month here at Land-Grant.
Throughout the whole month, you can grab one of the library’s Sesquicentennial Passports and embark on an adventure at the library and around your community. These passports, which are available now at Land-Grant, are full of activities, events and reading challenges for all ages so everyone can map out their perfect journey.
Tapping on Tuesday, April 4th – which happens to be #LibraryGivingDay – you can come down to our Franklinton Taproom to enjoy a pint of our draft-exclusive CML collaboration brew, Read Ale (5.5% ABV). Brewed with the help of library team members, CML’s Read Ale is a tawny red-colored Amber Ale with notes of dark fruit, toast and caramel – a brew that’s about the malts, but with low hop and roast bitterness.
We also invite you to join us on Thursday, April 27 at 6:30PM as the library takes its Trivia Team on the road, hosting their trivia night here at Land-Grant! Additionally throughout the whole month, you can round-up to support the CML Foundation, who provides financial support for the library’s greatest needs and highest priorities through generous gifts.
In addition to participating in the Sesquicentennial Passport, enjoying a CML Read Ale and rounding up when you close your LG tab throughout the month of April, you can also show your support for our featured partner this summer at the first ever Columbus Book Festival on July 15 & 16. This new, two-day event, proudly sponsored by Battelle and hosted by the CML Foundation, will feature national and local authors, exhibitors, entertainment and more and will take place downtown at Columbus Metropolitan Library’s historic Main Library, the adjacent Kaufman plaza and Topiary Garden Park.
