Downtown Main Library Reopening Celebration Weekend: Live Blog

Written by Liz Foreman, Marketing Manager, with Kennedy McPherson, Public Relations Specialist

The Downtown Main Library’s South Building has officially reopened with a weekend of festivities! 

Visit this page for live updates all weekend, and stop by for free events Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Enjoy building tours, food trucks, live music, and even a world record attempt! 

Weekend Events Schedule |Directions to Main Library

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Sunday, 4:45 p.m.

Thanks for joining us at the Downtown Main Library Reopening Weekend! Together, we celebrated a historic milestone: the reopening of the Main Library's South Building after a significant renovation that will positively impact our community years to come.

From guided tours, food trucks, storytimes with media and mascots to informative lectures, and live music all weekend, this was truly a celebration for Minds of All Kinds!

Sunday, 3:45 p.m.

The Downtown Main Library's South Building Atrium is rocking with a live music tribute to the Cincinnati Music Festival with the P. Ann Everson Price All-Star Band, opens a new window. The new, comfortable seating on the 2nd floor provides a great viewpoint.

Sunday, 3:15 p.m.

Skate Downtown Cincy, opens a new window is heating it up with a performance outside the Library, on 9th Street between Vine and Walnut streets. A couple of the roller skaters are some of the best in the country, according to the group!

Stay cool while you watch - grab a free bottle of water and a Meet Me at Main fan (and register for today's raffle!) at the welcome tent on the South Plaza. And, stop by one of the food trucks here for the event today - Indigenous Chef, Graeter’s, and Streetpops.

Sunday, 3 p.m.

As one of the largest public main library buildings in the country with one of the largest collections in the country, there are acres of books, music, movies, records, maps, documents, and other materials to see when you visit. In fact, more than 1,474,976 items are listed as available, opens a new window at the Main Library at this very moment.

Visitors have remarked this weekend that it's exciting to, once again, have the opportunity to get lost in the stacks downtown!

Sunday, 2:15 p.m.

The Women in Women in Film Panel, moderated by WLWT's Megan Mitchell featuring Ensemble Theatre's D. Lynn Meyers and Film Cincinnati's Kristen Schlotman, is underway with about 40 people in attendance.

“A lot of the movies we’ve worked on in Cincinnati have had a crucial social messages," said Myers, who also works as a casting director in film. "I'm talking about movies like Bikeriders movie and The Shawshank Redemption - movies made in Cincinnati and Mansville."

“In 2024, do you see the film industry as a male dominated?” asked attendee Khalil Martin.

"Yes," said Kristen Schlotman, "but we insert ourselves in there."

Check it out: CHPL staff List: 15 Movies Filmed in Cincinnati

Sunday, 2 p.m.

More than 80 people listened to a gorgeous preview of Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio at the Downtown Main Library this afternoon. Now it's our turn to join in: "Get Paul to Music Hall!, opens a new window"

“It was such an amazing preview! We’re excited to see the show," remarked one person in attendance.

Sunday, 1 p.m.

The last action-packed day of Main Reopening Weekend is here!

Now underway: a special preview of Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio with the Cincinnati Opera, opens a new window. Liverpool Oratorio will have its world stage premiere on Thursday, right here in Cincinnati.

The today's events also include:

• 2 p.m. - Women in Film Panel moderated by WLWT's Megan Mitchell featuring Ensemble Theatre's D. Lynn Meyers and Film Cincinnati's Kristen Schlotman
• 3:30 p.m. - A live music tribute to the Cincinnati Music Festival with the P. Ann Everson Price All-Star Band

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Saturday

Saturday, 8 p.m.

It's been another wonderful day of Main Library reopening excitement. More than 5,300 people came through the doors Saturday to experience the refreshed South Building of the Downtown Main Library.

Before the reopening celebration, CHPL's previous record of library card signups in a day was 584. We're excited to announce that Saturday, 898 people signed up for a CHPL library card! (The number has been updated from 828, reported on Saturday.)

This weekend, customers have explored 540,000 square feet of refreshed spaces, participated in energizing and educational events, and checked out thousands of books, music, and other materials at the Main Library.

Haven't checked out the updates yet? Stop by Sunday from 1 - 5 p.m. for the final day of this thrilling weekend. View full event schedule.

Saturday, 5:30 p.m.

The party hasn’t stopped! Soul Pocket is rocking the atrium of the Main Library's South Building all the way through to 7:30 p.m. tonight. Get your dancing shoes on and groove to the beat!

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Spoken word artist Laurent Che, opens a new window is talking about the art of writing rap lyrics. Join the session, which ends at 5:30 p.m.!

“I appreciate how Laurent Che talked about the importance of confidence in rap; it’s important, even for everyday life," said one of the participants who attended the session.

Head down to the Main Library this afternoon and evening to check out the new spaces and catch these great events:

• 4 - 5:30 p.m. | Live music with DJ Monet
• 5:30 - 7 p.m. | "Taylor's Version: Why Taylor Swift Resonates" by Melissa Jacquart
• 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.  | Live Music with Soul Pocket

Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

"I brought my daughter to discover the Main Library. I found I had fun instead!" said Nouhalia, whose home branch is Delhi Twp.

A young visitor to the friendship bracelet-making station said, "I love that we can come to this library now! It’s close to school so now I want to come after school. I hope they always have activities like this!”

Saturday, 2:10 p.m.

DJ Vader is speaking now until 4 p.m., sharing tips and tricks on how to be a DJ.

“The love of music is the key to being a great DJ,” he said. 

Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

Looking for a tranquil space at the Main Library during this weekend's excitement? Check out the Reading Garden at the Downtown Main Library. It's open to the public anytime the Library is open.

We're up to 392 library card signups for the world record attempt of most library card signups in 12 hours.

Saturday, 1:15 p.m.

We're up to 360 library card signups for the world record attempt of most library card signups in 12 hours!

Tours continue on the half hour. Walk up or reserve ahead on CHPL.org.

Saturday, 12:50 p.m.

"I've been crying because I'm so overwhelmed. I love the Library!" exclaimed Debbie,  who lives north of the city. She is excited to resume her weekend Main Library visits.

Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

The Catherine C. and Thomas E. Huenefeld Story Center Studio is in session today in the South Building, capturing customers' library stories for archival purposes.

Naason Crawford, an artist known as 3.L, is visiting the Downtown Main Library from the Northside Branch with his family. He recently visited for grant assistance and learned about the opening festivities.

"I love the Library. It is a beautiful place to learn," he said.

Share your library story until 1 p.m. and again from 3-5 p.m. today.

Saturday, Noon

Browsing for library materials while dancing? Yes, please!

The Main Library is hopping today with excited customers discovering the beautiful spaces and musical acts inside the South Building and outside on 9th St. and the South Plaza.

“I can’t believe we can dance under this beautiful skylight and the musical stairs!” said one CHPL customer inside the South Building.

“The violist is so great! It’s so cool that the Library can bring local artists together to be appreciated," added another customer, listening to the music of Preston Charles III with the Cincinnati Music Accelerator.

Saturday, 11:30 a.m.

About 75 people are at the Experimenting with Physical Science event, hosted by the Cincinnati Museum Center.  Stop by until 1 p.m.

Saturday, 11 a.m. 

Today's world record attempt for most library card signups in 12 hours is underway! Among the early signups are Rinoa and Aubrey. Aubrey signed up for her first library card today!

Steven Thompson also signed up. " I was walking and heard the announcement that the library is open!"

Saturday, 10:30 a.m. 

About 10 teens seeing if they can beat the the Cincinnati Fear, opens a new window on Super Smash Brothers Brawl video game. Think you have what it takes to win? Stop by before 2 p.m. today!

Saturday, 10 a.m.

The Library is open for the second day of family-friendly festivities! View full event schedule.

Highlights from today's schedule include:

• A world record attempt for most library card signups
• Nintendo Super Smash Tournament: University of Cincinnati Football vs the Cincinnati Fear
• Taylor’s Version: Why Taylor Swift Resonates by Melissa Jacquart and a Friendship Bracelet-Making Station 
• Food Trucks
• A 5:30 p.m. Concert with Cincinnati Band Soul Pocket, opens a new window

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Friday

Friday, 5 p.m.

More than 3,000 people came through the doors today to celebrate the reopening of the Downtown Main Library. Wow!

The festivities continue Saturday at 10 a.m. with family-friendly fun. We hope to see you! View full event schedule.

Friday, 4 p.m.

The party keeps rolling! Xavier University and University of Cincinnati athletes are reading their favorite kids books to kids in the Crosstown Readout. 

Friday, 3:30 p.m.

The colorful Social Stairs are wowing visitors. A customer, "Skippy," said that the reopened South Building is both phenomenal and overwhelming. He is enjoying browsing the music listed on the stairs, learning about Cincinnati recordings that are new to him.

Friday, 2:40 p.m

Kids entertainer Zak Morgan is putting on two shows this afternoon at the Downtown Main Library. FC Cincinnati's Gary the Lion enjoyed participating in the sing-along portion of the performance!

Friday, 2:30 p.m.

It's a great time for an afternoon treat on the South Plaza. Streetpops, Indigenous Chef, and Graeter's are here today and tomorrow.

A chalk mural adorns the South Plaza, thanks to CHPL customers who joined the fun along with Pam Kravetz and Indigo Hippo.

Friday, 2 p.m.

The Storytime with Mascots and Media event just wrapped up. WLWT’s Ashley Kirklen and FC Cincinnati’s Gary the Lion just entertained a crowd of kids with a storybook. The Crosstown Readout with University of Cincinnati and Xavier University players and mascots starts at 4 p.m.

Friday, 1:20 p.m.

Suhas Anand and Dakota Alverson, who live downtown, are at the reopening celebration for a tour. They moved to Cincinnati in 2020 and are excited to see the Downtown Main Library fully open!

Friday, 12:30 p.m.

Future influencers, you're on the way! Social media influencer Clancy Burke, opens a new window is currently discussing going viral and turning it into a full-time job. The session is one of the first held in the Library’s brand-new South Building meeting rooms. 

“How hard you work, the more income you make...it’s your business," Burke shared during the session.

Friday, 12:15 p.m.

Building tours depart on the half hour from the South Building atrium this weekend. Head down and get an inside track on what’s new at the Downtown Main Library! Reserve ahead on CHPL.org.

Or, take a look around at your own pace, as the Feinchels, who frequent the Blue Ash Branch, and Sarah Stevens and Kayla Gibbins, who frequent the Loveland Branch, are doing. They have found their home branches on the map wall!

Friday, Noon

The Main Library's South Building will rock all afternoon with the music from the social stairs. Head down and join the Cupid Shuffle!

Not at the Library today? Stream or download many of the tunes with your library card.

Friday, 11:30 a.m.

Pearl Breckenridge, who is a regular at the Downtown Main Library's MakerSpace, came to the South Building to check out the new spaces. 

"I like that there's more stuff to do. I really like the second and third floors and I really like the balcony. I plan to bring my grandson here tomorrow," Breckenridge said while standing next to the kids bridge on the first floor.

Friday, 11:15 a.m. 

Storytime with mascots and media just started and boy is it an adorable sight to see. Kids are laughing along with the story, thanks to an exciting reading by Fox19 Anchor Julie O'Neill and WhoDey from the Bengals!  

Charon Stell, who frequents the Mariemont branch, came with her 6 and 9 year old sons. Stell said her older son, Preston, loves to keep track of Library events and suggested a trip to the Main Library for the reopening celebration.

"There's nothing more important than a kid who can pick his own events and ends up at the Library! How do you argue with that? You gas up and go!" Stell said.

Friday, 10:30 a.m. 

Faye Ball, of Richmond, VA, is one of the first customers to visit the renovated South Building. Ball, who visits Cincinnati regularly, heard about the reopening celebration on the radio and decided to stop by. 

"This is beautiful - I love this library. The reading garden is beautiful. Well done!" Ball exclaimed. 

Friday, 10 a.m. 

Today’s the day! The ribbon was just cut at the Downtown Main Library, officially reopening the South Building and kicking off a weekend of festivities. The large crowd cheered as Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Library Director Paula Brehm-Heeger was joined by staff, elected officials, and community partners in the joyous ceremony.

At 540,000 square feet, the Main Library is the Library's flagship location, accounting for about half of the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library's public space. After a three-year renovation, the doors to the South Building are again open to the public.  

Mayor Aftab Pureval proclaimed the day Main Library Reopening Day.

"Nothing exemplifies community like the Library," he said during his speech.