Library Trustees Elect 2007 Officers; Dr. David Ritchie Re-Elected President

YOUNGSTOWN (January 25, 2007 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) -- Dr. David Ritchie was re-elected president of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County at the Board's meeting Thursday at Main Library. The Board also elected the following officers: Kathryn Bennett, Vice President; Susan G. Merriman, Clerk-Treasurer; and Tina McBane, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer/Secretary.

Trustees adopted 2007 budget appropriations of: $14,447,922 for the General Fund and $7,079,915 for the Building and Repair Fund.

Treasurer Susan Merriman noted that receipts in 2006 were up by over $2.6 million, due largely to a five-year operating levy passed by voters in November 2005.

In his report, Library Director Carlton A. Sears reported that architects for both city library projects are working on designs. The trustee building and sites committee will meet in early February to review and provide feedback for these projects. The 4M Company is the architectural firm for the East High Avenue and Early Road project. Ronald Cornell Faniro Architects is the firm for the project at Market Street and Midlothian Avenue .

Trustees honored the Friends of the Library with a reception and recognition plaques. The Library has individual branch library Friends groups and a county-wide Friends group. Sears said, “The Friends of the Library groups have made great strides over the years. Where they are today is the result of an evolution that has taken place over many years with efforts of many individuals. We are happy to reflect on their accomplishments and contributions and appreciate their value to the library system.”

The Friends of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County , the county-wide group, raised over $72,000 in the bookstore operated by an all-volunteer staff and located in the lower level of Poland Library. The bookstore opened in late 2003.