Bookstore's inventory is meant to please customers

Bookstore's inventory is meant to please customers
EDITOR:
The library would like to take this opportunity to set the record straight on information in a recent Letter to the editor about the Friends of the Library Bookstore, located in Poland Library. The writer expressed concern that the bookstore contained not only books, but also gift items, with the thought being that the store's purpose is to provide educational books. While this is certainly one function of the store, its purpose is much more broad. The main purpose of the bookstore is to raise additional funds to support all of the public libraries in Mahoning County.
The store located in Poland Library is owned and operated by the Friends of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (PLYMC), an organization comprised of volunteers who support the library. This organization is totally separate from the board of trustees that operates the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.
Fundraisers come in all shapes and sizes. The library is fortunate to have a space such as the lower level of Poland Library to offer to its friends for one of their largest fundraisers.
The bookstore does have books -- over 37,000 of them!
The spacious store, with 2,900 square feet, has ample space for both books and gifts. Books sit beside other items, such as stuffed animals, figurines of book characters and authors, and jewelry available for purchase as part of that fundraising effort.
Since opening in late 2003, the Friends of PLYMC store has raised over $53,000, benefiting all libraries in Mahoning County. These funds have been used to support numerous events across the county, such as author visits and reading programs.
The books can be easily found on clearly labeled bookshelves. The store is well-organized, with separate sections for adults and children, reference materials, magazines, and audio-visual materials.
Why were gift items included? When the store was in the planning stages, volunteers gathered input from other libraries and discovered that gift items were important to customers and not only raised funds, but also brought in more customers.
This letter would not be complete without a very special thank-you to the wonderful volunteers who give freely of their time to staff the store. The work of this auxiliary group is so important to the library. We are gratified by our volunteers' support and enthusiasm. We see in their efforts, a love of libraries and recognition of the importance of libraries in their communities. The Library Board of Trustees, Director and staff hold these volunteers in high regard.
Books vs. gift items? To each his, or her, own. It is the hope of the Library and its Friends that all customers who walk through the doors of the Friends of PLYMC Store in Poland Library have a pleasant visit, find selections that make them happy, chat with the friendly volunteers, and leave with a desire to return. In doing so, they make libraries across the entire county stronger. To see photos of the bookstore or learn more, visit the library's website: www.libraryvisit.org.
JANET S. LOEW
Youngstown
The writer is communications and public relations director for the library.
Another form of cruelty
EDITOR:
Here is another letter about animal cruelty. Where I live on the South Side, you cannot even talk to a live person at the dog warden office. You get voice mail. A lot of dogs are dropped off in my neighborhood. You call for help and police tell you they don't handle loose dogs. The warden's office tells you call police. Forget trying to get a hold of Animal Charity.
We have a young German shepherd that is another drop off in the neighborhood that I'm leaving food outside for. Through the years we have also had dogs left alone in houses. We also have pit bulls in the area.
If you want animals, you have to care for them. That means good food, vet care and plenty of love. And that is the difference between human beings and subhumans.
JOHANNA MORRISON
Youngstown