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Public weighs in on proposed renovation to Boardman library
BOARDMAN
A small but dedicated group of library patrons expressed support and excitement Monday for a major interior renovation of the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.
“It looks to me like it’s going to be positive,” said Barbara Huberty, secretary of Friends of Boardman Library. “I think they’re going to modernize it and make it more usable.”
“I use the library all the time,” said Dee Snyder, president of the group. “I’m very impressed; I think it looks like it will work well.”
The public weighed in on the renovation plan at a meeting Monday with representatives of Olsavsky Jaminet Architects Inc.
Proposed changes include:
Creation of a “highly visible” feature area, including a large-screen television, that would display items the library staff wants to highlight.
Addition of a coffee counter.
Merger of the clerks’ and librarians’ services desks into a single service desk.
Modification of an existing classroom into an activity center to be more visible from other parts of the library.
Addition of an “adult terrace” for outdoor reading/sitting that would be adjacent to a new children’s garden.
Installation of return slots that send library materials straight into the building.
Addition of power plugs throughout the building.
Installation of a new front walkway.
• Addition of a “featured/high demand materials” area that will act as a casual sitting area. “It’s almost going to feel like a Starbucks. It’s just to read the newspaper or something like that,” architect J. Paul Romanic said of that area.
The idea, designers and library representatives said, is to make the space easier to reconfigure as needed.
“This library’s going to function as a 21st-century learning center, with all the movable equipment that’s going to be put in there and the additional technology,” architect Ray Jaminet said previously.
The estimated $637,000 project will be the first major renovation since the building opened in 1992. The library system has saved enough to cover the project cost, said Janet Loew, library communications and public relations director.
The PLYMC board of trustees will meet Monday and likely will take action on the proposal.
“Provided everything goes smoothly, we plan for it to be complete in the fall,” Loew said. “We are expecting to be able to remain open for most of the project.”
The library will close as needed during construction.