Elegant, Energy Efficient - and Earth-Friendly

The New Poland Library Combines Classic Architecture with Recycled Materials and a Dash of History

POLAND, OH (July 8, 2002) -- From every angle, inside and out, the new Poland Library in Poland, Ohio, speaks of elegance - with a flair for Earth-friendliness. Classic Greek revival architecture with fluted columns. Walls of windows bringing in sunlight and a view of the library's natural surroundings. Floors of hardwood beams from old New England barns. A roof that looks like slate - but is made largely from recycled tires. This library won accolades from Ohio's Governor Bob Taft.

The newest branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, which opened Dec. 3, 2001, is innovative in many ways, both in its architecture and energy-efficiency and in the use of recycled building materials. This building is the largest example of "green architecture," architecture using recycled and reclaimable materials, in Northeast Ohio's Mahoning Valley.

But first and foremost - it's a library. Poland Branch serves a very real need and was conceived by the Library Board of Trustees over five years ago to fill the Poland community's need for more and more library services and materials.

Library Director Carlton A. Sears reflects on the previous Poland Library, built in 1965, "where shelves were so filled that new books could not be added without discarding the old, where there was little room to sit down, where there was no room for computers." He says, "When we set out to correct those deficiencies, we did quite extensive research and planning to be sure we knew what the community wanted - places to study and meet, new technology, wonderful space for children, and lots of space for more books," he said. "Since the library opened in December, we have seen our circulation figures rise dramatically. It is gratifying to see this high usage and realize that the community has embraced and truly appreciates its library."

The new Poland Library fulfills those goals with room for 75% more library materials, video, CD and DVD collections and computers with Internet capability. The library is also a gathering place and central location in the community, located along its main street directly across from the Poland Village Town Hall. The new library houses its collection on the street level, but the lower level offers Chapters Cafe, a 125-seat meeting room and will soon have a bookstore operated by the Council of Friends of the Library. Since this library is built on a sloped lot, both levels are open and accessible, with a multitude of doors and windows.

Library's Historical Significance
Incredibly, this library also embodies a rich portion of the community's history. Rather than demolishing a historic structure to build the new library, architects encased the 1846 Poland Union Seminary Dormitory and made it an integral part of the new library. Poland Union Seminary School was a cornerstone of education in the community, so it is a fitting tribute for this building to hold a place of honor in the new educational cornerstone - the Poland Library. Although he never resided in the dormitory, President William McKinley was the most famous student of Poland Union Seminary School.

Another historic touch is the placement throughout the new library of stone surrounds which graced the windows of the former library, bringing Poland Library's past into its present and future.

Classic Greek Revival Architecture
Architect Robert A. Mastriana AIA of 4M Company Architects and Planners designed the building in the classical Greek revival architecture of the Western Reserve area. "Poland Library features a domed cupola which adds a distinctive architectural form and is the centerpiece of the library," says Mastriana. The cupola crowns the building as it towers above the librarian's desk area on the main floor. The dome-shaped structure, reminiscent of the dome which crowns the country's Capitol Building, lends a historical presence representing architecture which dates back to about 1765. This piece is functional, as well as decorative, as windows will bring natural light into the library. In the evening, the cupola windows are glowing with light, adding a majestic touch to the library. The cupola was an element that was almost removed as a cost-cutting measure, when Poland residents, the Alexoff family, came forward and donated the cost of the cupola to retain that feature.

The interior is enhanced by fluted columns and handcrafted tables and chairs, and alive with natural light streaming in through the multitude of windows lining each wall. Through those windows, library patrons have a view of the beautiful natural setting which surrounds this library, including Yellow Creek.

The Boardman architectural firm, 4M Company, was founded in 1978. Working on the project were Robert Mastriana, architectural and design principal; F. Paul Mastriana, business and managing principal; and James A. Yoder, senior associate architect.

Ohio's Governor Bob Taft Honors Poland Library
Such a unique library is the Poland Branch that Governor Taft paid a visit in November and praised the facility as a "one-of-a-kind library" for finding "a way to use recyclable, environmentally-friendly materials to build a highly functional library that's energy efficient." The Governor noted, "Now that's innovative and an extraordinary achievement."

"With this new library, you'll be serving the lifelong learning needs of the people of Poland - from children to senior citizens - while at the same time instilling a strong concern for our environment and improving our energy situation," said Governor Taft. "As Governor, I applaud your tremendous service to your community and our state. Thank you for helping Ohio to become a 21st century state of excellence."

Earth-Friendly Library Uses Energy-Efficient and Recycled Materials
This library is attracting attention because of its extensive use of recycled materials. The library received a $400,000 grant from the Recycling Division of Mahoning County (R.D.M.C.) to support the use of recycled construction materials. In addition to the library being composed of recycled materials, another important component of this green architecture project was education, which couples with the library's mission of being a top-quality educational facility.

Library Director Sears, along with Harold Moore and Tim Berlekamp of the Recycling Division of Mahoning County, wanted this library to be an educational experience which serves as an example of what can be achieved with recycled materials and calls attention to the merits of green architecture. An educational display in the library's lower level exhibits many of the recycled materials used in the library, plus the history and benefits of recycling.

The project was a learning experience for the architect, too. "As I learned more about recycling and energy-efficiency, I realized that for years, I had been designing for 'green architecture' without calling it that -- by taking advantage of natural breezes and solar gain, using natural sunlight for heat and light, and working with many products which turned out to be made from recycled materials after all."

Another unique feature of the Poland Library is extensive use of local talent in its construction and finishing touches. "This building is not just a library," Sears said. "It is also a showcase of talent and skill that reside in the Mahoning Valley -- furnishings, tables, cabinets, cupboards, decorative ironwork, framed works of art -- were made right here in Mahoning County by local residents."

General Contractor Robert Arroyo of Frontier Woodworking took the architect's designs and the library's vision and brought the building to life. Library Board President Kenneth J. Wilson commended the contractor, saying, "The quality of their workmanship is evident in every part of this facility." Arroyo was pleased to be involved in this library's construction: "Being part of a project that enables us to construct a building focused on education, children and learning has been a wonderful opportunity. We are happy this building will be a place of learning and growth for many years to come."

Since opening in December, library circulation has broken all records for that branch and the building is alive and brimming with activity. Director Sears derives great satisfaction from knowing that this library has met its goals of: becoming a center of education, meeting lifelong learning needs, becoming a gathering place for people of all ages, attracting visitors from all parts of Mahoning County, and demonstrating that beauty, durability and functionality can be achieved in an energy-efficient building constructed with Earth-friendly materials. Sears also said he is proud to be part of a project that is bringing so much positive attention to the Mahoning Valley.

Poland Library is located at 311 S. Main St., Poland, Ohio 44514.

LIBRARY FEATURES
• The Poland Library offers 15,020 square feet of library space on the upper level and 15,580 square feet on the lower level.
• The collection has room to grow to 70,000 items - 75% more than the previous Poland Library.
• The lower level houses Chapters Cafe, the first library cafe in the Mahoning Valley. It is owned and operated by Thymely Events, Inc.
• Also on the lower level is a meeting room available for meetings and events of up to 125 people and a space (under construction) which will soon be occupied by a Council of Friends of the Library Bookstore.
• Local artisans whose work can be seen in the Poland Library include: carpentry throughout the building by Frontier Woodworking, general contractors; 18th century-style wooden tables and cabinets by J.L. Treharn of Youngstown; decorative hardware by blacksmith Robert Kurz of Canfield; iron railing by Pedaline Ornamental Iron of Youngstown; handcrafted bronze plaques by Wendell August Forge; reading room art by Phyllis Beard ; fountain sculptures and artwork by noted Poland artist/sculptor Tom Antonishak; Windsor chairs and benches handcrafted by the Amish of Berlin, Ohio, and Lancaster, PA; chairs and benches finished by Youngstown Furniture and Refinishing; outdoor gold leaf sign by Cape Cod Signs of Warren, OH.
• The new library cost approximately $6.8 million, which is being offset by a $1 fundraising campaign. To date, the campaign has raised over $836,000.
• Recycled materials used:

SIDING - James Hardie siding composed of cement and recycled wood fibers.

ROOFING - Ecostar roofing made of 100 percent recycled tires, rubber and plastics. Virtually indistinguishable from natural slate and just as durable, yet only one-quarter the weight.

RECYCLED BUILDING - A unique example of true recycling is the reuse of a historic structure adjacent to the new Poland Library site. The entire building was incorporated into the design of the new library. (See back page for more information.)

WINDOW & DOOR FRAMES - Pella windows and doors. Made of 95% recycled aluminum. Glass has 15% recycled content. Insulating glass was used for energy efficiency.

FLOORING -- Made of vintage hardwood recycled from old New England barns.

PARKING LOT -- Parking surface is composed of recycled asphalt and recycled tires.

DECORATIVE SURROUNDS -- Decorative stone window surrounds from the original Poland Library were placed in the new facility to retain a part of the past in this new library.

CARPETING -- Made from reclaimable materials.

LANDSCAPE STONE WALLS -- From old stone homes and barns.

TRIM -- Exterior and interior trim is Georgia Pacific Prime Trim, composed of glue and recycled wood fibers.