As part of its 150th birthday celebration, the Columbus Metropolitan Library holds its first Columbus Book Festival this weekend with more than 200 authors from a variety of literary genres.
“(The year) 2023 is a special year for us,” says Ben Zenitsky, spokesperson for the Columbus Metropolitan Library. “We are 150 years old, and that really kind of provided the spark for us to turn that into a reality. This is several years of planning in the making and now we just look to the weather to hopefully give us some nice fun and clouds and breeze as well.”
Zenitsky says the event includes local authors like Maggie Smith, writer of You Could Make This Place Beautiful and Prince Shakur, writer of When They Tell You To Be Good.
“Customers can purchase books at the official Columbus Book Festival bookstore, which will be in the reading room on the second floor of the main library,” says Zenitsky. “You can purchase new books by these authors and have them give you their autograph.”
The Friends of the Library will also hold its Big Book Sale during the festival, selling books and other library materials that were once part of CML’s collection. Children’s Books start at $1.
Zenitsky says the festival can play an important role in reaching residents who aren’t familiar with the library’s treasures.
“We hope that whether you are a library card holder or not, you will stop in and and enjoy this beautiful weekend with us and plan the perfect literary weekend,” says Zenitsky. “You don't need a library card. But hey, while you're at the library, why not? Why not register? It's totally free.”
CML is continuing its renovation of branch locations.
“In early 2024, we expect to cut the ribbon on a new Reynoldsburg branch as well,” says Zenitsky. “And we're going to keep the momentum going with new or renovated buildings for Linden Barnett over on East Livingston and Marion Franklin and Canal Winchester within the next several years as well.”
