YOUNGSTOWN (January 31, 2006) — New libraries are in store for the south and east sides of Youngstown. The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County announced the start of these two long-awaited projects, which will enhance library service in the City of Youngstown, at a news conference today.

The two building projects, on the south and east sides of the City of Youngstown, further the goals of Library 2011, the Library’s strategic plan. Library Director Carlton A. Sears, Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams and Library Board of Trustees President Dr. David Ritchie were on hand to discuss how these projects will benefit the city.

"Mayor Jay Williams expressed approval of the city's commitment to Mahoning County's library system and the Library's importance to the city. He said the Library's plans to invest in new locations in the city demonstrates the Library's commitment to the city's future.  The Mayor said he believes a new Library at Market and Midlothian fits well with the Youngstown 2010 plan."

“As President of the Library Board of Trustees, I speak for the entire Board when I say that we are pleased with these projects. The new libraries on the south and east sides reaffirm the commitment of the Library’s Director, staff, administration, and Trustees to providing only the best in library service to the City of Youngstown,” said Dr. Ritchie.

“We appreciate the community’s support of the Library’s levy in November. Thanks to your vote of confidence, we can move forward on these important projects.”

South Side Building Project

The south side project will be a new library at the corner of Market St. and Midlothian Ave., a site which is considered a priority node in the Youngstown 2010 land use plan. The Library acquired property and a building at that location from Giant Eagle.

Library 2011, the Library’s strategic plan, has a timeline which called for relocating South Library several years in the future. However, when this property in such a prime location became available, Trustees and the Director felt it was time to act on plans for this branch.

Library Director Carlton A. Sears said, “Library 2011 is about more than just branches, but the service infrastructure is important. Branches should be strategically located to best serve their target populations. The Market and Midlothian purchase is an opportunity to serve an important area, identified through both Library 2011 research and a study of city branches completed several years ago, as a prime site and a gateway to Youngstown.

“Purchasing an existing building is prudent use of Library funds and this building is well-maintained, structurally sound, and in an excellent location. We want to assure the community that when the renovation is complete, the South branch will truly be a first-class library.”

The Library will renovate the 24,500-square-foot structure at 3730 Market St. into a beautiful, up-to-date facility comparable with any the Library has recently built in Mahoning County.

The current South Library,1771 Market St., will remain open until the new facility is ready. The current branch was built in 1929 and remodeled in 1972. The building has only 6,450 square feet which is usable for library service and the structure is in need of repair. The declining population in the area surrounding the current location has led to a drop in usage at that branch.
The newly purchased property, valued at $350,000, was made available to the Library for the sum of $225,000, with Giant Eagle making a charitable contribution of the additional $125,000 toward that purchase.

“Giant Eagle is proud to offer this building to the Mahoning Valley at below market cost to help establish a superior new library for the area,” said Giant Eagle Special Counsel Dan Shapira.  ”The new branch will undoubtedly be a tremendous asset to the entire community.  The gift was made as part of Giant Eagle’s continuing efforts to help the Mahoning Valley.”

East Side Building Project

Another city area that has been targeted for improvement is the east side. Earlier this year, the Library acquired, from the City of Youngstown’s land bank, property at the intersection of East High Ave. and Early Rd. This, coupled with acreage purchased by the Library on Early Rd., provides a site of over six acres for the new East branch library. Here, a new library will be constructed from the ground up.

The current East Library, 6 N. Jackson St., has just 1,500 square feet of library space. It was built in 1930, has remained largely unchanged, and is in serious need of repair. As with the south side location, the East Branch is in a neighborhood which has experienced a declining population.

The Next Step

Now that the building projects are underway, the next step is to find an architect. The Library uses the Ohio Design Professional Selection Law, a qualification-based procedure, in the process of assessing architects and choosing the most qualified firm.

Property purchases are offset by building sales. North Lima branch library sold to the South Range School District for the sum of $235,000. Lowellville branch library was sold for the sum of $61,000. Lowellville and North Lima closed in April of 2004.

East High Ave. and Early Rd. Project.

Market St. and Midlothian Ave. Project