Little Free Libraries have been a staple of Columbus neighborhoods for years. The unique + colorful book-filled boxes are easy to stumble upon — but maybe not as easy to track down again.
There are 150,000 Little Free Libraries around the world as of last week, with 100+ in CBUS alone. Based in Hudson, WI, the nonprofit aims to inspire readers + expand access to books globally. And today, we’re sharing our guide + local map to find 40+ little libraries.
Find Little Free Libraries easily with our interactive map. | Photo by CBUStoday
📚 Clintonville
Looking for a quiet place to read your next Little Free Library book? We recommend checking out the two libraries near the Columbus Park of Roses — which can be found at 67 W. Cooke Rd. + 67 Indian Springs Dr.
📚 Grandview
Start at Stauf’s Coffee Roasters on 1277 Grandview Ave. and you’ll find multiple little libraries within walking distance. The Lucy Bartimole library is near GoYoga at 1520 W. 1st Ave. From there, head south on Broadview Avenue to discover Laura’s Little Library at 1240 Broadview Ave. Finally, head towards Kristi’s Jump Library, which was built by Edison Intermediatestudents, on 1240 Oakland Ave.
A Little Free Library in Upper Arlington made by the Pappas family. | Photo by CBUStoday
📚 German Village
Whether you want to make a donation to this box, or just want to check out more books, head to the library at 642 City Park Ave. which is just around the corner from the German Village Book Loft. Pro tip: There’s another library on 106 Thurman Ave. which is less than two blocks from Schiller Park.
📚 Olde Towne East
Families can grab a book from the library outside of the First English Lutheran Church on 1015 E. Main St. before spending the day at the Franklin Park Conservatory. And big kids can stop at the library on 960 Bryden Rd. then sip back a German-style beer from Gemüt Biergarten at 734 Oak St.
Airplane! | Thurs., June 23-Fri., June 24 | Times vary | Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. | $10+ | Go back in time with this 1980 classic comedy parody film starring Leslie Neilson. 🎬
Friday
Popcorn Pops | Fri., June 24 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion, 160 S. High St. | $12 | The Columbus Symphony will perform an outdoor concert suitable for kids ages three to 12 who will be treated to free popcorn before the show. 🍿
Nitro Circus Live | Fri., June 24 | 7 p.m. | Huntington Park | $25 | Watch these daredevils attempt flips + tricks on dirt bikes, quads, and other off-road vehicles. 🏍
Randy Houser | Fri., June 24 | 7 p.m. | The Bluestone, 583 E. Broad St. | $35 | Catch country singer Randy Houser, famous for hits like “Runnin’ Out of Moonlight,” with special guest Ella Langley. 🎸
Saturday
My Fair Lady | Sat., June 25-Sun., June 26 | Times vary | Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. | $10+ | Watch this eight-time Oscar winner starring Audrey Hepburn. 🎥
Picnic with the Pops: Boogie Wonder Band | Sat., June 25 | 8 p.m. | Columbus Commons | $35+ | This band brings back all the funky hits from the 1970s including “Funky Town” + “Boogie Fever.” 💃
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
While Spoonful Records will be closing on Mon., July 4 — don’t worry, this local vinyl staple is just moving down the block and will reopen on Sat., July 16. Stop by between Fri., July 1-Sun., July 3 for a flash sale where all records will be $2 off.
Designer Kitchen,formally a vendor inside the Eastland Mall food court, is set to open its first brick-and-mortar location at 1509 E. Main St. on Thurs., July 7. The restaurant features Mediterranean cuisine + more modern dishes like lobster mac and cheese. (614now)
Development
The Dublin Architectural Review Board is reviewing a proposal from a local developer that would add a 127-room boutique hotel near Oscar’s, a restaurant in Dublin. The next Review Board meeting is on Wed., July 27 at Dublin City Hall. Public comments can be submitted online.
Community
Did you lose power last week during the storm and heatwave? IMPACT Community Action is offering$250 Kroger gift cards to those who were impacted + the next round of pick-ups is on Mon., July 27. (ABC6 On Your Side)
LinkUs Columbus is looking for input to determine where its locally preferred bus stops will be in the northwest corridor. The group is hosting a public comment session today from 6-8:30 p.m at 807 Kinnear Rd. Once this phase is finalized, LinkUs will move on to the design stage.
The Word
The Ohio State University was approved for its trademark request and now the university owns the trademark rights to the word “the.” OSU previously applied for this back in 2019 + is expected to begin making apparel featuring only one word — “THE.” (NBC4)
Sports
When it comes to these Buckeye athletes, their mark on the university is officially Hall of Fame worthy. Eleven athletes were inducted into the 2022 Hall of Fame on Tuesday, including Aaron Craft, basketball star from 2011-2014, and Jenna Harris Griffin, decorated track and field athlete from 2004-2008. 🏆
Environment
Stop by Colonial Village, home to hundreds of Columbusites, on Sat., June 25 to help Keep Columbus Beautiful who will be pulling weeds, picking up trash, and offering a hand to those in need. The day kicks off at 8:30 a.m. with clean up efforts running from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. ♻️
A pet message from our sponsor
“Whiskey the Rottweiler was given less than 24 hours to live, and the referring veterinarian was sure he was going to die. But I made one simple change that saved Whiskey’s life, and kept him healthy for years and years.” *
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Every weekend, the community is invited to the Gravity garage in Franklinton for Marketplace where local vendors and artists + live DJs share a space. Here, you’ll find anything from retro furniture from Life of Leisure, or home decor at Quill Concrete & Home Decor.
Pro tip: Saturday’s festivities run from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. but the Marketplace will close an hour early on Sunday at 6 p.m.
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Editor’s pick: With OSU (my alma mater) officially getting its trademark approved on “THE” it has me thinking: what was going on at that time? After some research, we probably forgot all about it because that was the week Lizzo came to CBUS — the power of Lizzo is real.
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