Honor for local libraries makes the Valley proud
Last Sunday's Years Ago picture on page A-13 showed Youngstown's Central Square on a snowy Nov. 26, 1947. And while the wintry scene provided a pleasant trip down memory lane, the one-story building on the left-hand corner was a telling commentary of a less-complicated time.
The building was a branch of the public library and its location spoke volumes about the important role it played in the lives of people who understood that reading is fundamental.
Six decades later, reading, especially among young people, has been redefined by technology -- and libraries have been forced to rise to the challenge of meeting the new demands.
Four libraries in the Mahoning Valley have gained national recognition for not only focusing on the basics, but being innovative. In addition, the Columbiana Public Library, the Kinsman Free Public Library, the Bristol Public Library and the East Palestine Memorial Public Library received high marks for keeping good collections, expanding facilities and hours, offering amenities, and demonstrating a willingness and ability to get avid readers what they want.
Such recognition reflects positively on the entire region.
The national ranking of the libraries according to population categories is performed by Hennen's American Public Library Ratings based on public library statistics collected and disseminated annually through the Federal-State Cooperative System for public library data.
Top billing
Of the four local libraries, Columbiana Public was ranked No. 1 in the 5,000 to 9,999 population category. In the same category, Kinsman Free Public and Bristol Public, both in Trumbull County, were fourth and sixth, respectively.
East Palestine Memorial was ranked eighth in the 2,500 to 4,999 population.
It is notable that while the population categories are on the lower end of the scale, the actual number of people who use those facilities far exceed the population levels.
As Mona Saltzman, administrator of Bristol Public, put it, regional adult appeal, youth outreach and a good collection have contributed to the library's success.
"The public enjoys coming in," Saltzman said. "They're comfortable."
The 2006 ratings are based on records from 2004 for 9,076 libraries nationally, and as The Vindicator story this week pointed out, Ohio fares very well.
The Cuyahoga County Public Library was No. 1 nationally for the highest population category, 500,000-plus residents; Columbus Metropolitan Library was third nationally; Cincinnati and Hamilton County was eighth.
While the libraries that have been singled out are deserving of praise and public recognition, all the libraries in the Mahoning Valley are worthy of support and use because they perform a crucial service to the community.
Libraries are important assets for people of all ages, from preschoolers to post-retirement. And the more they're used, the more valuable they become.