West Side library closing April 30 to make way for new building

YOUNGSTOWN — The West Side branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will close at 6 p.m. April 30 to prepare for its demolition and replacement with a newly built $2.8 million branch on the same site at 2815 Mahoning Ave.

The new branch will be named in memory of Michael Kusalaba, whose family donated $1.68 million toward construction of the new library.

After the books and other materials are put in storage pending construction of the new library, a public sale of items no longer needed by the library system will be held in the building to be demolished.

Architect Ron Faniro of Youngstown is completing the new building’s design. The library will conduct a pre-construction meeting to take public comments on his design after he completes it, said Janet Loew, library communications and public relations director.