Library trustees honor Centofanti Foundation for donation to library campaign

At their meeting today, the Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County honored The James and Coralie Centofanti Charitable Foundation for their generous donation of $200,000 to the capital campaign for the new Canfield Library.

The foundation made the donation Oct. 23, 2014 and is the largest donor to-date in the campaign for the new library, which is currently under construction at 43 West Main St., Canfield. The previous library closed in September and a groundbreaking was held on October 3 for the new building.

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. The community has been involved in fundraising activities.

The current Canfield library, built in 1969, is 5,104 square feet. The new branch will be 18,514 square feet. Construction is expected to take one year to a year and a half. Project estimated cost is $4.9 million. Architect is Ronald Cornell Faniro. General Contractor is Hudson Construction.

David Ritchie, president of the Library Board of Trustees, expressed his gratitude to the Centofanti Foundation for their generous support of the new Canfield Library.

“The Library is pleased to accept the generous donation of $200,000 from the Centofanti Foundation. It is heartening to know that the Foundation honoring James and Coralie Centofanti has placed such trust in the Mahoning County library system.” Ritchie said,”We know the community will be pleased with its new library, once it opens later this year. Donations such as this help make our library system and our local libraries strong.”

Library Executive Director Heidi Daniel said, “We’re very excited about this new library in Canfield. We strongly believe it will enrich the community in so many ways.” Daniel said,”With that in mind, gifts like this wonderful donation from the Centofanti Foundation show that the community is behind its library and reaffirm our belief that the community believes in the importance of libraries. This show of support warms our hearts and we are deeply grateful.”

For more information on how you can support your library, contact the Library’s Development Department at 330-740-6086.