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Canfield library breaks ground for new facility
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Third-grade student Malia Swartz had a little fun with a hard hat and shovel while she attended the Canfield library groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 3.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Several students, including Ursuline Preschool and Kindergarten students wearing yellow hard hats and holding shovels, were in attendance at the Canfield library groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 3.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Dignitaries attending the Canfield library groundbreaking ceremony donned hard hats and dug their shovels into the dirt to celebrate the building of the new 18,514 square feet library Oct. 3.
By ABBY SLANKER
Not letting the impending rain showers damped their excitement, members of the Canfield community gathered on the Canfield Library building site for the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new library Oct. 3.
With the theme Remembering the Past and Celebrating the Future, ground was broken for the new 18,514 square feet library. The current building will be demolished and the new building erected on the same site. Construction is expected to take a year to a year and a half.
Library Board President Dr. David Ritchie, welcomed those in attendance. He thanked the community for participation in conversations which provided valuable input. He noted the new library “will serve as a catalyst to draw the community together.”
“We hope the library’s proximity to the Green will firmly connect it to the community and spur economic growth in this area,” Ritchie said. “The Library Board is committed to providing only the best in libraries and library service in Mahoning County and we believe this new branch will meet that goal.”
Library Executive Director Heidi M. Daniel told those in attendance, “I’m excited we are providing a new library in the heart of Canfield. When a community gets a new library, it’s a very special occasion that happens maybe once in a lifetime. This groundbreaking today kicks off construction and culminates over a decade of working on the project and saving for it, so that the Library can remain debt-free. It’s fulfilling to see the promise of a new library begin to become a reality.”
“This new library will be a multi-generational learning hub, right here in the center of Canfield. It will have a place for children to grow and learn, a place for teens to gather and be inspired, a place for folks to get a cup of coffee and sit down to read a newspaper. Library customers can connect with a more expanded collection of materials, such as best sellers, nonfiction, magazines and more. There will be space for meetings and activities. And the library will have new technology, which can inspire all ages,” Daniel said.
Among the dignitaries in attendance was Canfield Mayor Bernie Kosar, Sr., who read a proclamation which declared Oct. 3 The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Day.
Canfield Local Schools Superintendent Alex Geordan spoke on how public libraries and schools connect to one another.
“This new library is going to be a wonderful addition to our community. Public libraries and schools have a connection as each are willing and able to help the other. When I taught second grade and we were doing theme work, I was able to call up the local public library for some help and within 24 hours they helped me and my students. This goes on every day at schools and libraries everywhere. To the students in attendance today, take advantage of your new library. Come to the library because you want to, not because you have to,” Geordan said.
To make it official, the attending dignitaries donned hard hats, grabbed their shovels and dug them into the dirt. Assisting the adults with the groundbreaking, and having a wonderful time digging in the dirt, were students from Ursuline Preschool and Kindergarten, decked out in yellow plastic hard hats and wielding their own blue plastic shovels.
After the groundbreaking, refreshments were provided by the Friends of the Canfield Library.
Plans have been in the works for nearly a decade for this new Canfield library and the Library Board of Trustees has been saving money for the project. The library operates debt-free and pays for projects without bond issues or loans, which are costly.
A small temporary library location opened Oct. 1, in the Mill Creek Farm, located at 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road. Mill Creek MetroParks is partnering with the library and making this space available at no cost. The temporary site will have hours of 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. This site features services such as materials pick-up and drop-off, children’s story times, a small collection of materials for checkout and laptops for use on-site.