Design of Jackson-Milton library unveiled to public

By Elise Franco | October 6, 2011 at 12:05a.m.

North Jackson

Designs for the new Jackson-Milton public-library branch left residents impressed by the interior and functionality but a bit underwhelmed by its outer aesthetics.

The $1.4 million library will be built on school-donated land at the east end of the Jackson-Milton High School and Middle School complex along Mahoning Avenue just west of Duck Creek Road in Milton Township.

It will overlook wetlands and a small ravine, a feature architect Ronald Cornell Faniro’s design highlighted with large, sometimes ceiling-to-floor windows at the back of the building.

About a dozen residents attended a public meeting Wednesday at Jackson-Milton High School, where Faniro revealed the library design, which included separate sections for adults, teenagers and children as well as study rooms, public- computer areas and a reading/ meeting room.

The design also includes six public computers and a computer in the children’s section, eight laptop hook-ups and WiFi throughout the entire building, said Carlton Sears, director of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Victor Wolfe of North Jackson said the interior design and functionality is perfect, but he didn’t like the front of the building.

“The idea of overlooking the ravine is awesome. ... I like the back because it will provide a big, open, dramatic view,” he said. “The front has very little curb appeal, so I’m not crazy about it.”

The building, Faniro said, will be constructed of natural stone with a wood-shingled roof. Though the back and sides of the building have an abundance of windows, the current interior setup has one window at the front, as well as two roof-top window boxes to allow sunlight to shine down into the library.

Sears said he wasn’t particularly surprised by residents’ responses, and they plan to take all of the feedback into consideration.

“I heard things tonight that I’d heard in the past, and things I’d never heard before,” he said.

Susan Sweeney said she was hesitant about the outer aesthetics at first as well, but changed her mind once she saw Faniro’s presentation.

“Once I saw it all, it made sense,” she said. “What we want isn’t always what’s best, and this building is so important.”

Sweeney described the library as looking masculine, while the new Jackson- Milton High School was more feminine.

“In relation to the school, this library building is very masculine and authoritative,” she said. “It’s a perfect complement.”