The
Columbus Metropolitan Library (
CML), located in the
capital city of
Ohio, began operation in 1873 in the New City Hall in
downtown Columbus. This library is one of the most-used library systems in the country and is consistently among the top-ranked large city libraries according to "Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings." Led by Larry D. Black from 1984 to 2002, the redeveloped CML was formally reopened in 1991 by
U.S. First Lady Barbara Bush. Excellent customer service was Black's continual objective. CML was rated the No. 1 library system in the nation in 1999, 2005, 2008, and 2010. It has been in the top four every year since 1999 when the rankings were first published in
American Libraries magazine, often challenging up-state neighbor
Cuyahoga County Public Library for the top spot. CML was named Library of the Year by the
Library Journal in 2010. According to the
National Center for Education Statistics, in fiscal year 2005 CML patrons borrowed more than 16.5
million items, made 8.4 million visits to the library and asked nearly 1.2 million reference questions.