Main library renovation caps four years of growth

Excitement is literally building at the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County as it gears up to act on a plan to modernize, expand and upgrade its historic flagship edifice on Wick Avenue in the city.

But for anyone who thinks the library system has been dawdling since the renovation plans were first revealed in 2011 by architect Ronald Cornell Faniro or since the main-branch overhaul became a central plank in the PLYMC’s six-year strategic plan rolled out in 2014, think again.

That highly ambitious strategic plan has accomplished much of its mission, saving the renovation of the main Reuben-McMillan headquarters for the icing on the cake.

Indeed, according to Aimee Fifarek, executive director of the growing library network, 47 percent of projects included in that 2014 through 2020 plan already have been completed, and an additional 37 percent of them are actively being worked on today.

Since the My Library strategic plan was put into place four years ago, three libraries (Canfield, Boardman, Youngstown West) have been rebuilt or renovated and a substantial amount of new programming has been implemented throughout the system.

Last week’s announcement by the governing board of the library system that all systems are now go for the estimated $21 million Main Library renovation will serve as a fitting climax to the progress the PLYMC has made over the past four years.

The plans for the project are impressive indeed. They call for, among other things, the restoration of historical elements of the interior and exterior of the structure, an increase in natural light for patrons, the creation of a flexible meeting space, an addition to house a children’s section and so called “makerspace.”

What’s more, a space for a caf is planned on the mezzanine level, and a bookstore vibe will be created for much of the first floor, according to the executive director.

With so much going for it, we hope work can begin expeditiously to reinvigorate the mother ship of the library system that oversees 15 library buildings with nearly 200 full- and part-time employees systemwide.

FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT

To its credit, the library has cash on hand toward getting the $21 million project off the ground soon because of its history of fiscally responsible management of its finances.

According to the library system’s 2017 annual financial report, PLYMC operates on a $23.5 million budget, about one-third of which is derived from a small property tax on county residents with other revenue coming from state support, intergovernmental grants and aid and patron fines and fees.

In addition, the board has prudently invested in the future by maintaining a $34 million pot of funds in its account for building construction, repairs and technology. The bulk of that fund has been earmarked toward reinventing the Wick Avenue library.

The expansion and upgrades could not come at a better time. After all, the library system is experiencing note-worthy growth in a region of general population decline.

Need proof? Check out these stats from Director Fifarek’s progress report on My Library 2020 issued earlier this summer:

The number of library cardholders increased from 102,000 in 2016 to 107,000 in 2017;

Some 117,000 children, teens and adults were reached through school visits and library programming last year;

More than 808,000 items are now available for checkout – including books, ebooks, audio books, music, videos and more;

Some 1.2 million Wi-Fi sessions were initiated last year at public-computer areas at each of the library’s buildings.

A newly renovated main library undoubtedly will continue and expand that long-time tradition of service excellence to users of the library system. A handsomely restored central library structure also will complement recently completed aesthetic and other improvements along the Youngstown State University-Wick Avenue corridor that also include new housing and retail developments directly across the street from the library.

Above all else, however, the massive upgrade will double down on the library’s vision and commitment to public service embodied in its new slogan: “Connect, Inspire and Enrich.”

The upgrades will help the library better connect people and communities to reliable resources that inspire learning and foster enrichment. In short, it will go far toward prolonging and strengthening the library system’s integrity and commitment to excellence.