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Angela O'Neal of Columbus Metropolitan Library previews America250 programming for Franklin County
Summary
Angela O'Neal, manager of local history and genealogy at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, told Franklin County commissioners the library will mark the nation's 250th anniversary with exhibits, author visits, walking tours, a summer reading challenge (June 1–July 31) and the Columbus Book Festival (July 11–12), plus partnerships with county and state agencies.
Angela O'Neal, manager of local history and genealogy for the Columbus Metropolitan Library, presented the library’s plans for America250 to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners on May 26, 2026. She described a slate of events and exhibits intended to connect county residents with national and local history ahead of July 4th.
"At the library, we view this as an opportunity to talk about all of our nation's history, from the stories of the indigenous people who were here before us to those of present‑day residents of Franklin County," O'Neal said, outlining exhibits, author visits, neighborhood walking tours and a downtown program tied to the Ken Burns documentary on the American Revolution.
O'Neal said the library — founded in 1873 and expanded with Carnegie funding in 1907 — now serves an estimated one million residents at 23 locations across the county. She gave specific event details: a summer reading challenge running June 1–July 31; author events including a visiting historian tied to the library's Black Patriots programming; neighborhood walking tours; a downtown "Through the Decades" program on June 23 featuring a Topiary Park walking tour and lunch presentation; and the Columbus Book Festival on July 11–12 with more than 200 national and local authors at Topiary Park. She also noted a traveling exhibit, Freedom: The History of Us, and a juried Ohio Artist Registry exhibition with an America250 theme.
Commissioners and staff welcomed the programming as a countywide opportunity. President Grady and Commissioner Boyce thanked the library and discussed ways Franklin County could participate in or highlight county history during the anniversary year. Deputy County Administrator (DCA) Long said county public affairs and government affairs staff are coordinating an internal committee to tell the county’s story, and Joy Bibons, deputy county administrator of Health and Human Services, offered to explore formal partnerships linking the library's summer reading challenge with early‑learning initiatives.
O'Neal provided handouts and directed attendees to the library’s website, columbusl.org, for schedules and registration. Library staff said they will follow up with county offices to coordinate programs and outreach to neighborhoods.
The presentation closed with commissioners thanking O'Neal and library staff for their planning; no formal action by the board was required during the general session.
