County library system branches out

Library goers have been enjoying the new East Branch, and on Saturday they can visit the new Newport Branch.

Staff Report

YOUNGSTOWN — The new East Branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is a place to escape, says Ronnie Jones, a Youngstown police officer.

Jones was visiting the East Branch, 430 Early Road, for the first time Wednesday. It opened Jan. 24.

Jones stopped at the library to introduce himself and let the staff know they can always give him a call. “I work this side of town so it will be a nice getaway, nice and quiet,” he said.

“In the spring and summer when it gets green, it will be pretty,” he said while looking out one of the library’s many windows.

The new East Branch library is 9,000 square feet and sits on property surrounded by woods with an outside atrium. The previous East Library was built in 1930 and had only 1,500 square feet of library space.

“We believe this new library will reflect the wants and needs of the community ...” Library Director Carlton A. Sears said. “We are also pleased that this branch is energy-efficient and includes ‘green architecture’ materials and designs which will help the environment, while cutting costs.”

Community members have already been taking advantage of all that East offers, whether it be picking up a book or a movie or using the computers.

Diamond Cathey, 10, of Youngstown visited East twice Wednesday.

She was looking for a book she needed for school, but settled for one from a favorite series.

“I’ve read almost the whole series; they’re funny,” Diamond said, holding “Junie B. Jones is Captain Field Day.”

“I like this room,” she said while sitting in the pre-literacy room, which isn’t quite finished but still has places to sit and read.

“The chairs are comfy, nice and soft,” Diamond said.

Pre-literacy areas are featured in both the East Branch and the new Newport Branch, 3730 Market St., Youngstown. The Newport branch opens to the public at 10 a.m. Saturday.

“The early literacy areas will be a transforming aspect of these branches,” said Janet Loew, communications and public relations director. “It’s one of the ways the library is addressing the needs of the community.”

Both branches are equipped with various-sized meeting rooms, areas targeted specifically to teens and children and for access to the latest technology.

“This Newport Branch will serve as a regional hub at a location that is a gateway both to and from Youngstown,” Sears said.

“[It] will be a focal point that will draw from the adjacent Boardman, as well as many nearby communities,” he said.

Newport is much larger with a total of 24,000 square feet, 15,000 of which is devoted to library space. Though not surrounded by woods, the Newport branch will have about 20 maple trees in the parking lot to create a parklike feel for library patrons.

“The new buildings are beautiful, and I think the public will respond well to both branches,” Loew said.

Both branches will have formal dedication ceremonies. The East library will be dedicated at 10 a.m. Feb. 16, and Newport library’s dedication will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 20.

For more information on the new libraries, visit www.ymc.lib.oh.us.