40 Things to Explore at the Main Library

Written by Paul Wellington, Social Media Specialist, Downtown Main Library, and Joe Armstrong, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library 

The Downtown Main Library of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library is over 500,000 square feet of discovery waiting to be explored! After just reopening it’s renovated South Building, there’s no better time to visit.

If you visit the Downtown Main Library everyday or if you’re overdue for a trip, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive list of 40 things to explore: 

1. Phronesis Light Sculpture: located on the new South Plaza, this large-scale light sculpture by BLINK artist Jen Lewin features eight large, illuminated sculptures each representing a guiding principle of ancient Greek wisdom.

2. Passport Services: Embrace your inner globe-trotter and make an appointment to get or renew your passport on the second floor of the South Building. 

3. Reading Garden: Find this tranquil space on the 1st floor of the South Building – perfect for a leisurely lunch or a quiet spot to read to the sounds of the fountain and frolicking birds.

4. Kids Bridge: Modeled after Cincinnati's famous Roebling Bridge and complete with flying pigs and musical play elements, this is a must-see in the Kids Space for those young and young-at-heart.

5. Feature Walls: Standing at over two stories tall, the three Story Walls in the South Building’s atrium, titled "Aura," "Lotus," and "Story Arc," are unmissable – and incredibly Instagrammable!

6. MakerSpace: Gather, invent, and learn at the MakerSpace on the 2nd floor of the North Building. Our free 3D printers, software, laser cutters and other tools will help you create pretty much anything you can imagine. 

7. Connector Exhibit: Currently featuring the 200 years of Ohio and Mississippi River history in the “Inland Rivers Library Collection at CHPL” exhibit, you’ll find plenty to discover in this space connecting the 2nd floors of the North and South Buildings. 

8. The Joseph S. Stern, Jr. Cincinnati Room: Find the Library's rare books and special collections on the 3rd floor between the North and South Buildings. Visit to see some of the Library’s oldest materials, including the Fontayne and Porter Daguerreotype and the Audubon Birds of America. 

9. Coworking Space: The 2nd floor of the North Building is where you’ll find the perfect setup to work remotely, take a Zoom call in quiet room, or collaborate. 

10. Computers: Use the free Wi-Fi, printing, and faxing at the dozens of public computers on the 1st floor of the North Building. 

11. Teen Space: The 1st floor of the South Building boasts a space for teens to hang out, game, study, and more with reservable Study Pods, computers, and plenty of comfy furniture. 

12. Historic Stained-Glass Windows: View three one-of-a-kind stained-glass windows preserved from the original 1874 Main Library on the 3rd floor of the South Building. 

13. Kids Mural: Inspired by “choose-your-own-adventure" books, this colorful mural in the Kids Space on the 1st Floor of the South Building is filled with magic gadgets and stacks of books.  

14. Rosemary Wells Exhibit: In-between the Kids and Teen Spaces on the 1st floor of the South Building you’ll find original art from acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator Rosemary Wells. 

15. Kids Music Panel Wall: Make some noise in the Kids Space through this interactive musical play element on the 1st floor of the South Building. 

16. Due Date Wall: Don’t miss the illuminated art installation on the North Plaza featuring historical due date cards synonymous with library materials years ago. At first glance, the numbers found on these cards seem to be random, but look closer and you might recognize some famous dates in Cincinnati lore. 

17. Catherine C. and Thomas E. Huenefeld Story Center: Visit Cincinnati's newest oral history center on the 2nd floor of the South Building where you can view one-of-a-kind digital and physical exhibits, record your oral history, and have your historical artifacts digitally preserved by the Library's expert staff.   

18. Social Stairs: Step through Cincinnati's musical history on the Social Stairs in the Atrium of the South Building. At nearly five stories tall, this staircase is a visual exploration of artists and genres from 1945 to 2023.

19. Meeting & Study Rooms: Reserve one of the many meeting and study rooms for free with a library card. 

20. Amelia Valerio Weinberg Memorial Sculpture: Affectionately known as the "book sculpture," this 1990, ceramic sculpture was created by former Cincinnati sculptor Michael Frasca through a bequest of Mrs. Amelia Valerio Weinberg. Originally used as a fountain prior, the artwork was carefully disassembled, restored, and reinstalled as a sculpture on the South Plaza for future generations to enjoy. 

21. Sky Landscape II: The sculpture “Sky Landscape II” was created by world-famous artist Louise Nevelson, and commissioned by Federated Department Stores in 1980. Sky Landscape II was relocated from the entrance of Federated's Downtown Cincinnati offices to the Downtown Main Library on January 8, 1993, when it was gifted by Federated Department Stores to the City of Cincinnati. 

22. Drive-thru: Drive up on 9th Street for quick, easy, and convenient pickup and drop-off of your movies, books, music, and more. Simply drive to the marked window during normal operating hours and library staff can assist you. No need to get out of the car in the cold or worry about forgetting your umbrella! 

23. Genealogy Services: Library staff on the 2nd floor of the South Building offer specialized reference assistance to all customers, from children and beginning genealogists to professional researchers and scholars. Delve into research-level resources and services including complete U.S. federal census (1790–1930), passenger lists, city directories, military histories, maps, church and cemetery records, and slave and freedmen records.  

24. Giant Globes: Travel across the world from the 2nd floor of the South Building with these large globes. 

25. Library Location Maps: View all of the 41 CHPL locations across Cincinnati and Hamilton County on these two large displays on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the South Building. 

26. Veterans Display: The Veterans’ Memorial display case, located on the second floor of the Downtown Main Library, recognizes the sacrifice and contribution of local veterans and showcases our collection of veterans’ memorabilia. You can also explore artifacts and ephemera from the U.S.S. Cincinnati. 

27. Public Terrace: Take in the views of Downtown Cincinnati, including a birds-eye-view of Music Hall, at this open terrace on the 3rd floor of the South Building. 

28. Atrium: Find the latest material displays, picturesque views of the Social Stairs, holds pickup, and more – all filled with natural light from the building's skylight. 

29. Laptop Kiosks: Check out a laptop for use within the Main Library at these convenient kiosks in the Atrium of the South Building and on the 2nd floor of North Building. 

30. Study Pods: Find a quick space to focus, study, listen to music, or take a video call at these reservable pods on the 2nd floor of the North Building and the Teen Space in the South Building. 

31. Community Room: Attend upcoming events or reserve the room for your own! 

32. John T. Nolan Room: Stop by this unique exhibit space on the 3rd floor of the South Building for the latest items on display - and great views of downtown Cincinnati.

33. Kids Space Light Wall: Bring funky designs to life, write your name, create a funny face, or more on this interactive light wall in the Kids Space! 

34. DVDs: Binge the latest series or borrow a classic from CHPL’s large collection of television shows and movies on the 1st floor of the South Building. 

35. Records: Borrow a selection of vinyl records featuring both old and new hits! 

36. Adult Fiction: Browse the 1st floor of the South Building for the latest bestsellers in fiction. 

37. Adult Nonfiction: Check out a wide collection of nonfiction titles on display on the 1st floor of the South Building. 

38. CDs: Music from nearly every genre is available to borrow on the 1st floor of the South Building. 

39. Winding Staircase: Travel through the North Building between the 1st and 2nd floors in style on this unique spiral staircase. 

40. Magazines: There’s a magazine for anything you’re interested in on the 3rd floor of the South Building – all sorted from A to Z.