43
New Canfield library is open
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield Village Middle School student Hailey Tomory and her mom, Brandy, checked out the new library, including looking up book titles online, during the Grand Opening and Dedication of the new Canfield library on Jan. 30.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Romie Policy of Youth Services at the Canfield library had a story time for the children who attended the Grand Opening and Dedication of the new Canfield library on Jan. 30.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.An ice sculpture by Sub-Zero Hand Crafted Ice Sculptures was on display at the Grand Opening and Dedication of the new Canfield library on Jan. 30.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Library Executive Director Heidi M. Daniel addressed library patrons at the Grand Opening and Dedication of the new Canfield library on Jan. 30.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.The Flag Ceremony was led by Cub Scout Pack 25 at the Grand Opening and Dedication of the new Canfield library on Jan. 30.
By ABBY SLANKER
The new Canfield library is complete and was opened to the public for a soft opening on Jan. 25. A formal grand opening and dedication took place on Jan. 30, with refreshments and activities for all ages.
“We’re very happy that our customers who have waited so long for their new library will finally be able to come inside and use all of the wonderful resources the Canfield library has to offer,” said Library Executive Director Heidi M. Daniel.
The library offers an Early Learning Area, along with an expanded children’s section. The Early Learning Area is a play area which focuses on fine motor skills with each station prominently displaying a verb. The purpose is to promote literary skills while the children are playing and to raise print awareness.
“Children up to 5-years-old benefit from a print-rich environment. Children learn while they play. Our Early Learning Area is designed with a learning outcome in mind,” Daniel said.
The library also has public access terminals and small meeting rooms, which are sound proof, and can be reserved for adults who are looking for a quiet space.
A teen room is also available with large flat screens and Chrome books.
“Teens can use this room as a study room and as a place where they can work together and interact together,” Daniel said.
A large meeting room is also a part of the new library. This room will be used for story time and any other special activities.
“The floor in there is rubber, so when we have craft activities, or any messy activities, it will make for an easy clean up,” Daniel said.
An even larger meeting room, which seats 145 in a lecture format or 130 with tables and chairs, is available for rental with a fee.
An outside space is also available for library meetings or programs, including story times.
A co-working table will also be featured at the library to provide technological assistance.
“We are waiting on our co-working table, and are very much looking forward to our customers being able to utilize it together,” Daniel said.
Stone Fruit Coffee Company has opened a branch in the library and will be serving specialty coffee drinks.
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 this $5.3 million project. The library operates debt-free and pays for projects with our bond issues or loans, which are costly. Private donations of more than $600,000 from the community helped offset the cost of constructing this new library branch.
The old Canfield library, built in 1969, was 5,104 square feet. The new branch is 18,514 square feet.
The Canfield library will be open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Sunday hours begin in February and will be 1-5 p.m. through May 22.
“We are very excited for the Canfield community to come in and see what we have for them. Canfield has been waiting a long time for their library to be completed,” Daniel said.
The architect was Ronald Cornell of Faniro Architects, Inc., of Youngstown; general contractor was Hudson Construction, Inc., of Hermitage, Pa.; plumbing trades were provided by Morrone Mechanical of Lowellville; mechanical trades were provided by York Mahoning MC, Inc; fire protection trades were provided by RNL Fire Systems and electrical trades were provided by Tri-Area Electric.