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Boardman library showcases renovations at open house
By Sean Barron
BOARDMAN
Nine-month-old Rowan Hartup is too young to understand and appreciate how myriad hildren’s activities and exhibits in the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County can enhance developing critical-thinking skills and one’s imagination.
But it’s likely a safe bet that those valuable learning tools could receive a jumpstart as he gets older, thanks to the new offerings.
“The kids will continue to grow into and enjoy the finer touches and educational components,” said Rowan’s mother, Mollie Hartup of Youngstown, also referring to her 2-year-old son, Caden.
Mollie, her two children and husband, Bret Hartup, were among those who came to Saturday’s open house at the library, 7680 Glenwood Ave., which largely was to showcase the series of renovations and additions to the 23-year-old facility that began in June 2015.
The $916,569 project included new, interactive indoor and outdoor early learning spaces; science, technology, engineering, art and math educational exhibits with complementary hands-on displays; another public meeting area; a Business and Training Room; and an adult terrace.
“It’s so well done, so well thought out,” said Mollie, after Caden had examined an acorn, a leaf and a seashell under one of four small microscopes built into a table containing activities designed to enhance associations between words and objects.
Work on the library was divided into three phases: construction and renovations, furnishings and early-learning areas, noted Heidi M. Daniel, the library system’s executive director.
The enclosed outdoor children’s area features weather-resistant materials such as tarpaulin pieces that allow youngsters to explore various math concepts, hence using the props to encourage critical thinking and self-corrective abilities. Children also can use the pieces for fun purposes, such as attaching them to the equipment to build a fort, Daniel said.
In addition, the outdoor section, which also has two rectangular gardens and can be used year-round, gives youngsters opportunities to create their own stories and develop narration skills, she said.
Furnishings and other features include new mobile display units, lower, angled bookshelves, reconfigured spaces, new carpeting and laminate flooring, Daniel pointed out.
“We’re trying to make this environment open and friendly for all ages,” she said, adding that the branch was open for the bulk of the construction work.
Plenty of space awaits those who wish to use the facility for a variety of gatherings and meetings, and want a simpler means of checking out materials, explained Janet S. Loew, the library system’s public-relations director.
The librarians’ desks and check-out areas were combined so librarians and clerical personnel can provide faster, more centralized service. Another major piece is the Business and Training Room, which has up-to-date audio/visual capabilities and can be reserved for meetings, Loew noted, adding it also offers a quiet area for computer use.
Those who prefer more solitude can use any of four study rooms, two of which can hold up to five people. All offer plenty of privacy, Loew said.
The library also has undergone various ancillary changes, such as scattering the public computer terminals throughout, painting and installing new flooring in the larger meeting room, adding a self-serve coffee area and building a large glass wall to allow parents to observe their youngsters in the children’s activity room, she noted.
“It also serves as a small meeting room,” Loew said of the children’s area.
Among those happy with the changes was Andrea Przybylski, a 31-year librarian who has spent most of her career in Boardman.
“The library is becoming more of a community center. The library is trying to meet the aspirations of the community,” she said.
Przybylski noted the renovations also have addressed the needs of patrons who wanted to see greater study-room space and Wi-Fi capabilities, while also expanding some of the facility’s more traditional roles.
The Boardman branch always has felt inviting to Przybylski, but the improvements “make it more enjoyable to come to work,” she added.