Free community meeting rooms in Columbus can be difficult to find. To find these gems, simply sign up for a Columbus Metropolitan Library card. People often overlook the libraries, but they are a great source of space to gather. Below, we explain how to reserve free community meeting space at the library, the rules for using these free spaces, and list ten of our favorite rooms to meet in.
Table of Contents
Need To Know Terms of Use
How To Reserve a Room
Free Community Meeting Room List
Library Meeting Room Alternatives
Need To Know Terms of Use
While the library is a wonderful free community meeting space that you should take advantage of, do keep these important terms of use in mind. With “free” come many restrictions on how and when the space can be used. It’s important to know before you proceed to reserve a room. If you fail to comply with the terms, the library can cancel your reservation with little to no notice, wreaking havoc on your plans.
- You must have a library card to reserve space for free
- Your meeting must occur during normal operating hours.
- Use of the space for financial gain is expressly prohibited. This includes the selling of goods and/or services, fundraising, or accepting donations.
- Alcohol is prohibited.
- The library can cancel your reservation up to 24 hours in advance should something require it, or with an even shorter notice period if it is an emergency.
- You can only reserve space 5 times per month per library.
- Notices and signs posted in the library announcing the meeting or directing attendees to the room must be approved by a library manager at the location. Notices and advertisements about the meeting must not imply library sponsorship or endorsement of the group’s purpose or activities unless a formal partnership or co-sponsorship is in place.
- Prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in meeting rooms.
- No candles or open flames of any kind are permitted.
- Kitchenettes with refrigerators and sinks are available at some locations, but no serving utensils or other catering equipment is provided, and food preparation must take place off-site.
- Tables and chairs are available for meeting use. Set-up and take-down of the chairs and tables is the responsibility of the group using the room.
- Meeting rooms are intended for group use and should generally not be reserved for use by one person.
- Meetings held in CML meeting rooms must not disturb normal library operations or you can be asked to leave.
These are the main points you’ll need to keep in mind when reserving a free community meeting room through the Columbus Metropolitan Library. For a comprehensive list of the terms of use, please click here.
How To Reserve a Room
Columbus Metropolitan Libraries makes reserving meeting rooms easy. Make sure to have your library card number and pin handy (it’s all on your card), then go to the library meeting room website.
Using the calendar, select the day you want to reserve space (it’s only accessible 90 days at a time). Check the boxes beside each library branch you’d like to see or choose to select them all. Scroll to the space you want to reserve and click on the green boxes for the available time slot you want to reserve. The library includes a 30-minute buffer between reservations to ensure you take the time you need to put the space back in order before you leave.
Add your reservation to the basket, then checkout with your library card. It’s that simple. The library will be in contact with you about terms of use and anything else you may have questions about.
10 Free Community Meeting Rooms
1. Dublin Meeting Room 2 – Capacity 25
75 N. High St., Dublin, OH 43017
Included resources
- Chairs (25)
- Monitor
- Tables (5)
- Whiteboard
- Catering available for additional expense
2. Franklinton Meeting Room – Capacity 30
1061 W. Town St., Columbus, OH 43222
Included resources
- Chairs (30)
- Projection Screen
- Projector (Wireless (AirMedia) or wired (HDMI/VGA) connection)
- Tables (8)
- Whiteboard
3. Gahanna Meeting Room 1 – Capacity 24
310 Granville St., Gahanna, OH 43230
Included resources
- Chairs (24)
- Microphone (2)
- Mobile Marker Board
- Podium
- Projector
- Sink
- Tables (12)
- Whiteboard
4. The Hilliard Room – Capacity 40
4500 Hickory Chase Way, Hilliard, OH 43026
Included resources
- Chairs (40)
- Overhead Projector
- Projection Screen
- Tables (6)
- Whiteboard
- Wireless (Air Media) or wired (HDMI) connections
5. Main Library Meeting Room 1B – Capacity 12
96 S. Grant Ave., Columbus, OH 43215
Included resources
- Chairs (12)
- Tables (Furniture May Not Be Moved) (6)
- TV (Wireless (Air Media) or wired (HDMI/VGA) connection)
- Whiteboard
- Catering available for additional expense
- Parking garage (additional expense)
6. New Albany Meeting Room 1 – Capacity 60
200 Market St., New Albany, OH 43054
Included resources
- Chairs (60)
- Coffee Pot
- Overhead projector (Wireless (Air Media) or wired (HDMI) connections)
- Podium
- Projection screen
- Refrigerator
- Sink
- Tables (12)
- Whiteboard
7. Northern Lights Meeting Room 1 – Capacity 22
4093 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH 43224
Included resources
- Chairs (22)
- Podium
- Tables (6)
- Whiteboard
8. Northside Meeting Room 3 – Capacity 16
1423 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43201 – Limited parking at the Northside Branch; carpooling is encouraged.
Included resources
- Chairs (16)
- Tables (4)
- Whiteboard
9. Parsons Meeting Room 1 – Capacity 20
1113 Parsons Ave., Columbus, OH 43206
Included resources
- Chairs (20)
- Shared Kitchen (refrigerator, sink)
- Speakers/Audio
- Tables (5)
- Whiteboard
10. South High Meeting Room – Capacity 30
3540 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43207
Included resources
- Chairs (30)
- Podium
- Projection Screen
- Projector (Wireless (AirMedia) or wired (HDMI/VGA) connection)
- Tables (10)
- Whiteboard
Library Meeting Room Alternatives
Due to the terms of use of the meeting rooms provided at libraries (Columbus and elsewhere), it may be necessary to rent meeting rooms at alternative locations.
Moving your gathering to another location may incur a fee for the rental, however, you will have far more options in terms of usage. Many rentals offer times outside normal business hours, the ability to bring in alcoholic beverages, and the ability to use the space for a profit (sell tickets to an event, products, etc). We’ve shared a list of our favorite room rentals in Columbus here; check it out.
Members of Haven Collective can rent private day offices, conference rooms, and private event spaces while enjoying a 50% discount. To inquire about membership, please schedule a tour. We look forward to meeting you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reserve a community meeting room at the Columbus Metropolitan Library?
To reserve a meeting room, you need a Columbus Metropolitan Library card. Visit the library’s meeting room reservation website, select your desired date and location, and choose an available time slot. Add the reservation to your basket and check out using your library card.
Can I use the library's meeting room for commercial purposes?
No, using the meeting rooms for financial gain, such as selling goods or services, fundraising, or accepting donations, is prohibited.
Is there a limit on how often I can reserve a library meeting room?
Yes, you can reserve a room up to 5 times per month per library.
Are there any fees for using the library meeting rooms?
No, the meeting rooms are free to use with a valid library card during normal business hours, but catering services and certain resources may incur additional costs. (If a reservation is approved outside normal business hours, a fee will be charged.)
Can I bring food and beverages into the library meeting rooms?
Yes, prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed. Some rooms also have kitchenettes with refrigerators and sinks.
What resources are available in the library meeting rooms?
Resources vary by room but may include chairs, tables, projectors, whiteboards, podiums, and sound systems. Specific details are listed for each room on the library’s website.
Can I rearrange the furniture in the library meeting rooms?
You are responsible for setting up and taking down the chairs and tables. However, in some rooms, furniture may not be moved, so check the specific room’s guidelines.
Are there alternatives if I can't use the library meeting rooms?
Yes, there are various rental options available in Columbus that offer more flexibility with fewer restrictions. These may incur fees but allow for extended hours and the use of space for commercial activities.
About Haven Collective
Haven Collective was created in 2018 to nurture & support entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses in our communities who are often isolated, working solo from their homes. The Haven community thrives by bringing together people with diverse backgrounds and skill sets who are all looking to level up personally & professionally. Beyond coworking, private office, and conference room workspace, Haven provides growth programming to the community designed to support the collective through one-on-one business coaching, peer group masterminds, workshops, and a resource library.