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One for the books: East Branch of public library is dedicated
Photo
Millicent Counts (center) applauds as Carlton A. Sears and Dr. David Ritchie cut the ribbon. Behind them are Mayor Jay WIlliams (not seen) 2nd Ward Councilman DeMaine Kitchen and former Councilman Rufus Hudson at the ribbon cutting of the new East Side Library.
By KATIE SEMINARA
YOUNGSTOWN — More than 75 years ago, Edward Orlando, 87, of Youngstown, started using the East Branch Library to stay warm.
Orlando was a paperboy and would wait inside the branch on North Jackson Street for the morning papers to be dropped off.
“The librarian would say, ‘If you’re staying in here, you better pick up a book,’” he said.
The memories Orlando made at the original East-Breaden Family Branch were remembered during the dedication of the new East Branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 430 Early Road, on Monday.
More than 50 people attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new 9,000-square-foot branch, which opened at the end of January.
Stories such as that of Edward Orlando remind people that “libraries change lives; they change communities,” said Library Director Carlton A. Sears.
The new library is equipped with meeting rooms, wireless Internet and new technology for its users. When the ground thaws, the sign will go up, Sears said.
“It’s beautiful,” Orlando said of the new branch. “I’d love to see the young people wear it out.”
“A love for reading has to start out at an early age,” he said.
Orlando and his sister Clara Ross of Boardman both started reading at a young age.
“Our parents were immigrants and made sure that we had all the opportunities that they didn’t have,” Ross said.
“They were the ones who instilled in us going to the library,” she said.
Orlando and Ross still use the public libraries in the area and said they hope the youth take advantage of the new East Branch.
“The best things in life are free, and libraries are free,” Ross said.
Mayor Jay Williams called the new library “absolutely marvelous,” and shares the hope that children in the area will utilize all that the East Branch has to offer.
“I grew up down the street and never thought there would be something so magnificent at this location,” he said.
The new East Branch should be a reminder to the young people that the quality of life in Youngstown is growing, Williams said.
“I’m excited ... proud and thank everyone who was involved,” he said.
Sandy Pecchia of Boardman was at the dedication ceremony with her sister Fina Marie Pecchia and friend Amy Sposato, also of Boardman. The three were still raving about the event at the Main Branch Library in Youngstown with author Adriana Trigiani on Friday.
The three women are members of Friends of Boardman Library and couldn’t say enough about the new East Branch.
“This is magnificent,” Sandy Pecchia said.
“We need change, and this library is going to be a great help to this area,” she said.
Annamarie Quaranta of Youngstown was the president of North Side Library and was upset she missed the event at the Main Branch with Trigiani.
“I don’t want to hear anything else about it,” she said to the Pecchias and Sposato.
During the dedication of the East Branch, Quaranta didn’t waste time using the library resources and checked out a copy of “Very Valentine” by Trigiani, which was given out at the recent event.
Quaranta said the new library is set in a picturesque part of Youngstown.
“It’s beautiful,” she said. “It’s a step into the future.”
The dedication of the second new library, the Newport Branch, will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday. The Newport Branch, 3730 Market St., Youngstown, opened Feb. 7.