Hours at libraries will expand

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Public library hours in Mahoning County will expand substantially this spring thanks to the passage of a 1.8-mill new library levy Nov. 2, the library system announced Wednesday.

The hours expansion, beginning sometime in April as the library begins receiving revenue from the new levy, will restore the cuts in hours that were imposed by budget constraints in 2009. Staff members are still being hired and trained for this expansion.

The new schedule will restore Wednesday and Thursday evening hours at the main library and restore a full day of service at most branches.

For example, the Austintown, Boardman, Canfield, Campbell, Struthers and Brownlee Woods branches, which are closed Fridays, will reopen for a full day of service on Fridays.

The Poland, Newport and Sebring branches will again be open all day on Mondays.

The West branch will regain Wednesday hours; and the East and Springfield branches will regain Thursday hours.

The new five-year, countywide operating and maintenance levy will generate about $7.2 million a year for the 16-branch library system.

In campaigning for that levy, library officials said the new local revenue was needed to offset a 34-percent loss of state revenue since 2001.

Passage of the new real estate tax levy enabled the library board to increase its operating budget from $11.69 million last year to $18.62 million this year.

Library hours will be expanded by 17.5 percent, with 109 service hours being added weekly to bring the systemwide total to 787 hours a week, officials added.

Poland library will remain open from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays until Memorial Day.

Sunday hours will be reviewed for the fall schedule, the library system said.