METRO DIGEST | Library improves gift shop

Improving gift shop

POLAND

The Friends of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Bookstore and Gift Shop will be closed from March 28 through April 2 while improvements are being made. The shop is on the lower level of the Poland Library, 311 S. Main St.

The project will be paid for by the Friends of PLYMC and is estimated to cost $6,000. Improvements will include increasing the in-store space allocated to processing donated books, touch-up painting, carpet cleaning, improving shelving units, and expanding the gift shop.

Shelving will be lowered, which will allow more visibility in the store and make shelves easier to reach for both store volunteers and customers.

The bookstore and gift shop opened in 2003 and is an independent organization owned and operated by the Friends and staffed by volunteers. Proceeds benefit the library.

Kudos to employers

Four employers in Youngstown and one each in Campbell and Howland are among those nominated by Ohio Guard and Reserve members for the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the department’s highest award presented to civilian employers.

Local nominees are: U.S. Postal Service, Campbell; Howland Fire Department; and Forum Health; Heller, Maas, Moro & Magill Co., L.P.A.; Mahoning County Justice Center; and the Ohio State Penitentiary, all in Youngstown.

The 2011 recipients will be honored in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 22 at the 16th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony.

The award recognizes employers who have demonstrated support of their employee’s military service.