Poland Library FAQ’s

Below are frequently asked questions regarding the Poland Branch of The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (PLYMC).

Is the Poland Library closing?

No. Poland will not be losing library services. This decision was to relocate the branch, not to close it.

Is the building being demolished?

No. There are no plans to demolish the current building.

How much will the new building cost vs fixing the existing one?

PLYMC estimates the new project will cost somewhere between $6.7m and $9.9m, with additional costs to include land acquisition and site preparation. A detailed estimate and projected cost analysis can be requested via our Contact Us page.

When will this all happen?

An exact timeframe is difficult to say, but the initial planning and design phase will likely not happen for two years.

Are the Poland Branch and Struthers Branch being consolidated?

No. There are no plans to consolidate Poland and Struthers. There are plans to relocate the Struthers Branch of PLYMC to a new facility on new property.

Who is responsible for this decision?

PLYMC Administration is responsible for the collection and analysis of any information concerning these projects, however, it is the Board of Trustees' responsibility to vote to approve.

Is this project being funded by my tax dollars?

Yes. PLYMC is an association library per Ohio law. This means that while most of our funding comes from the State of Ohio, and Mahoning County property tax, we are not a subdivision of any local government entity. This project, like all of our projects, is funded mostly by tax dollars, with donated funds sometimes used to supplement costs if they were donated for that purpose.

Were there opportunities for public engagement for the residents of Poland?

Yes. Despite misinformation to the contrary, there were several times PLYMC engaged the public on the problems of the building, including:

• May 22, 2025: PLYMC held a press conference on the Board’s decision followed by a tour of the building for members of the press and the public.
• June 24, 2025: PLYMC held a community feedback meeting at the Poland Branch. Members of the public submitted questions for Aimee Fifarek, Director and CEO; Jordan Shaver, Chief Operating Officer; Erin Phemester, Chief Experience Officer; and Carole Weimer, Board President. This meeting was attended by around 200 people from the community.
• Starting with the September board meeting in 2025, members of the community attended board meetings to present their views on the future of the building.
• November 7, 2025: PLYMC held a tour of the building for elected officials which was also attended by scores of people from the community. Aimee and Jordan answered questions posed to them by elected officials and members of the community.
• April 7, 2026: Representatives from the PLYMC Board and Administration met with the Save the Library Group prior to the Building and Sites Committee meeting where the branch options report was shared with the Board.
• April 9, 2026: Members of Save the Library spoke at the Building and Sites Committee Meeting.
• April 29, 2026: Members of Save the Library spoke at the special meeting of the PLYMC Board of Trustees.