The New Albany Branch Library grew from a unique collaboration between The Columbus Metropolitan Library and The New Albany Community Foundation. Community planners had long envisioned a library in the historic Village Center, and that vision began to become reality when Foundation leaders approached The Columbus Metropolitan Library with a commitment to underwrite the book collections if it would move forward to build the library. It agreed, and the Foundation raised $1.2 million for the book collection through a benefit called "A Remarkable Evening" featuring Pulitzer Prize winner David McCullough. The library was named in honor of Charlotte Kessler, whose advocacy and vision to build library resources will be felt for generations.