Columbus Metropolitan Library postpones Linden Branch grand opening as extreme cold disrupts planned January 31 event

Grand opening postponed amid Winter Storm Fern conditions

Columbus Metropolitan Library has postponed the grand opening of its new Linden Branch, citing extreme cold tied to Winter Storm Fern. The opening celebration had been scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, but the library system announced it would not proceed under the forecast conditions and has not yet set a new date.

“We are disappointed to share that we need to delay Saturday’s grand opening of our new Linden Branch. We want the Linden community to have the celebration it deserves, so we’ll be working hard to make that happen as soon as we safely can.”

The library said it intends to announce a new date for the opening event when it can be held safely.

A major facility expansion for the Linden neighborhood

The new Linden Branch is located at 2223 Cleveland Ave., replacing a previous branch building on the same site. The new facility is designed as a two-level branch that more than doubles the branch’s former footprint, expanding from roughly 12,700 square feet to about 27,000 square feet. Construction on the project was launched with a ceremonial “wallbreaking” on April 17, 2024.

The library has identified Turner as construction manager at risk and Moody Nolan as architect for the project.

How Linden service was handled during construction

To maintain service during construction, the system operated a temporary Linden Branch at 1990 Jefferson Ave., next to the Linmoor Education Center. The transition plan included closing the former location in early April 2024 and opening the temporary site later that month, with a reduced on-site collection focused on high-interest materials while construction continued.

In December 2025, the library announced that the temporary Linden location would close on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, ahead of the planned Jan. 31 opening of the new branch. Customers were directed to nearby locations for service during the interim period.

Hours planned for the new Linden Branch

When the new Linden Branch begins regular operations, posted hours are expected to be:

• Monday–Thursday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Friday–Saturday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Sunday: 1–5 p.m.

Extreme cold and public-service operations

The postponement comes during a period in which local public agencies have been adjusting operations to severe winter conditions. In mid-January, the library system also announced it would open part of its Main Library as a daytime refuge from cold weather on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, offering seating, restrooms and Wi-Fi even as standard library services were not provided during the holiday closure.

The library has not announced whether any additional cold-weather adjustments will affect other branches beyond the Linden opening event.