LIBERTY Officials plan library groundbreaking

The library branch has been in Liberty Plaza since 1998.
LIBERTY -- Ground will be broken this spring for the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library's new Liberty branch.
The facility will be built on 1.86 acres that was the parking lot of the former Liberty High School on Church Hill Road.
Bids for the $1.1 million project being financed by Cortland Bank came in about 25 percent below estimates, according to Robert D. Briell, library director.
The land was bought in October 2000 from the Liberty Board of Education for $65,000.
Briell said the library originally opened a pilot site Nov. 2, 1998, in a former women's clothing store in Liberty Plaza on Belmont Avenue.
It has generated enough business that a more permanent facility is needed.
Looking ahead: Pamela R. Daubenspeck, head of the library's branch services department, said she expects the branch materials to grow significantly in the next five to 10 years.
"Additionally, once established in the new facility," Daubenspeck said, "we will offer preschool story time for children ages 3 to 5 on a regular basis, as well as monthly programs for school-aged children."
A portion of the building will be set aside for activities of the Liberty Historical Society.
Baker, Bednar and Associates of Howland is the architect and DeSalvo Construction Co. of Liberty is general contractor.
Other contracts were also awarded to Ellyson Plumbing & amp; Heating of Salem, plumbing; Aerotech Mechanical Contractors of Boardman, heating, ventilation and cooling; and Firestone Electric of Salem, electrical work.