ASK ME ABOUT: Reopening the library’s south building downtown on July 12 after extensive renovations.
WHAT ARE THE RENOVATION PROJECT’S HIGHLIGHTS? Our goal is to be a part of the connection between The Banks, Fountain Square, and Over-the-Rhine. This $43.4-million project re-envisioned the Main Library downtown to meet changing community needs. We redesigned the north and south plazas along Vine Street, refreshed the interior of the south building, completed an energy retrofit, replaced the south building’s skylight and elevator, and installed a new roof on the north building.
HOW DOES THIS RENOVATION COMPLEMENT RECENT RENOVATIONS AT OTHER BRANCHES? The Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library kicked off a 10-year Facility Master Plan in 2019. As part of the plan implementation, we so far have upgraded 18 branches and our distribution center.
HOW WILL THESE RENOVATED SPACES BETTER SERVE LIBRARY USERS? Our goal is for the Main Library to be a destination that people want to visit and a welcoming space for everyone. We’ll have something for all ages, including spaces designed for kids, teens, and adults, as well as an intuitive connection to the building’s upper floors accessed through a new, eye-catching staircase. We’ve also seen tremendous demand for meeting rooms and small study spaces, and we’re thrilled to make more of them available. Finally, we’re pleased that we were able to replace several elevators throughout the Main Library. Being an accessible space to everyone is a top priority.