Facility being planned to accommodate growth

The new facility should be open in early 2008.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LEETONIA -- The question is more when, than what, the Leetonia Community Public Library plans to build.
The library intends to replace its 70-year-old facility at 24 Walnut St. with a new one.
The current building underwent renovations in the 1990s, so it's bright and cheerful. But it's full.
"We are at over-capacity," said library director Seth Smith, who goes by Andy.
Professional statistics say that for its size, the library should have 30,000 items by 2007.
"We have 32,000," Smith said.
All the materials are on the ground floor. Wheelchairs can move between the bookshelves, but it's a close fit. The second floor is used for offices and storage, and the building's third floor is used by the Knights of Columbus.
The cramped library has bought the site of the former high school for its new building. Under the present schedule, the new library would open in 2008. The estimated cost is a little over $1 million.
Smith said that although people seemed more interested in when work will begin, "We're open to ideas now."
Getting ideas from public
The library hired architect Peter Bolek of Holzheimer Bolek Architects of Chagrin Falls, which has expertise in building libraries. The company has begun having community meetings and focus groups to determine what features people want in their new library.
The most novel idea so far is a swimming pool, Smith said.
But there has been talk about having a bank or other businesses share part of the building. Another idea is to include a large community room -- which the community doesn't really have -- that could be used for various events, he added.
The library is still seeking ideas and opinions. It will host a community forum at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29. The librarian starts the sessions but then departs so people can speak freely to Bolek.
Still, several things are apparent. The move from the village's small commercial area will put the library closer to the Leetonia schools, which would aid tutoring programs. The new building, Smith said, will also be consistent with the village's architecture.
The librarian doubts the new facility would include a coffee shop, such as one in the Poland branch of the Mahoning County library system.
But the Leetonia library will get used: Smith said it is used heavily now by all age groups.
What's planned
The new facility could expand the library's electronic section, such as computers that are used by pupils after school, and audio books that are popular with factory workers and truck drivers, he said.
And its children's section will stay true to its educational roots, since, Smith said, all testing is still measured by reading and comprehension.
The library has three full-time and four part-time workers. The library boundaries, by state law, are those of the Leetonia schools. That includes about 8,000 people in Leetonia, Washingtonville, and portions of Salem and Fairfield townships.
The new library may also help define the bedroom community that strongly supports its schools.
"The town is in the middle of change," Smith said.
The historic community draws people to bed and breakfast inns, and there's a nearby industrial park.
Smith, who hails from Tucson, Ariz., took over as librarian in January 2004. He met his wife, Lori, at Mount Union College in Alliance. She's a Leetonia native who teaches fourth grade in the Leetonia district.
Smith said the library will be fiscally prudent in building the new facility. Its funding comes from the state, and the district has never had a levy.
wilkinson@vindy.com