Donor News
On behalf of everyone here at the Library and Foundation, thank you so much for giving to the Library! To learn more about sponsorships or to donate to the Library, contact Deborah Liptak, Development Director, at 330-740-6086 or dliptak@libraryvisit.org.
Steel Valley Ukers Donate Ukulele Kits for Library Patrons to Check Out

UKULELE DONATION – Ukulele kits which can be checked out by PLYMC patrons were donated by Linda Wiland, Richard Wyant and the Steel Valley Ukers, seen above with Library Development Director Deborah Liptak.
The Library Receives $2,500 Grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to Support Literacy Through the Summer Discovery Program
YOUNGSTOWN (June 28, 2018) – The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County (PLYMC) a $2,500 grant to support literacy through the Library’s 2018 Summer Discovery Program, “Libraries Rock!” This local grant award is part of more than $8.3 million in grants awarded to more than 1,000 schools, nonprofits and organizations across the 44 states that Dollar General serves. LEARN MORE
Library Foundation Adds Carol A. Bacon Literary Society Author Fund with $75,000 Donation in Memory by Family

CAROL A. BACON FUND FOR LITERARY SOCIETY was established at the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County thanks to a $75,000 memorial donation by her husband James Bacon and family. Pictured in photo are: (from left) Dr. David Ritchie, Library Trustee President; Aimee Fifarek, Library Executive Director; James Bacon; and Deborah Liptak, Library Development Director.
(June 26, 2018) The Carol A. Bacon Literary Society Author Fund has been created in the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County’s (PLYMC) Foundation. The fund was created with a $75,000 donation made in Mrs. Bacon’s memory by her husband, James Bacon, and her family.

CHILDREN’S AREA DESIGNATED — James Bacon stands beside wording in the Austintown Library designating its children’s area in memory of his wife, Carol A. Bacon.
“Carol A. Bacon was a founding member of the Literary Society and a supporting member each year for the Society’s author event,” said Deborah Liptak, Library Development Director. “Carol was a long-time Library patron and avid reader. She supported literacy and the library. Carol and James Bacon have contributed to many PLYMC Capital Campaigns.”
In addition, James Bacon and Family donated $25,000 in memory of Carol A. Bacon to sponsor the Children’s Area in the Austintown Library. 06-26-2018
Special Thanks to the Friends of Boardman Library
Special thanks to the Friends of the Boardman Library for their years of support, including a donation of $25,000 for the Children’s Early Learning area inside the renovated Boardman Library. Pictured are (from left): Carmel Baughman, Book Cart Collection; Margaret Klein, Treasurer; Deanna Lambert, Book Cart Collection; Denise Congemi, President; Sue Fusselman, Secretary; with Deborah Liptak, Library Development Director and Friends Liaison. Missing from photo: Loretta Liptak, Vice President.
Michael Kusalaba Branch Library to Open Wednesday, February 14, 2018
In a Valentine’s Day gift to the community, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, will open the new Michael Kusalaba Branch at 2815 Mahoning Avenue at 10 a.m. on Wed., Feb. 14. The Library’s hours will be Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The branch is named for Michael Kusalaba thanks to a generous donation of $1.68 million through the Youngstown Foundation. A dedication of the new building is expected to take place on Sat., Feb. 24. Seen in the photo are: (from left) Jan Strasfeld, Executive Director of the Youngstown Foundation; Mary Ann Huwig, sister of Michael Kusalaba; Aimee Fifarek, Library Executive Director; Ray Kucalaba, brother of Michael Kusalaba, and his wife, Linda.
Slanina Family Donates to Michael Kusalaba Branch Library
(Jan. 30, 2018) The Slanina family, through the Youngstown Foundation, presented a check for $10,000 to the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County to sponsor the Community Foyer in the new Michael Kusalaba Branch Library on Mahoning Avenue. The Library is grateful for the community support of this new building, which will open on Feb. 14. The dedication is expected to take place on Feb. 24. Seen left are: (front, from left) John Slanina; Sandra Slanina; Jack Slanina; (back) David Slanina; Jan Strasfeld, Executive Director of the Youngstown Foundation, presenting the check to Aimee Fifarek, Executive Director of the Library; and Deborah Liptak, Library Development Director.
Thank you to Dino’s Restaurant for their Donation
Thank you to Greg and Meriem DiNello, and the staff at Dino’s Restaurant for the Show Me Your Library Card Fundraiser raising a $1,000.00 for the Tri Lakes Library Capital Campaign!
Also, thanks to all the patrons who came out to support the event at the restaurant.
Rocky Ridge Neighbors to Present Gift on Friday April 28 for Michael Kusalaba Library, Creating Community Sugar Maple Grove Onsite
(April 28, 2017) A monetary gift from a neighborhood association on the west side of Youngstown will result in the creation of a community-accessible sugar maple tree grove at the Michael Kusalaba Branch, now under construction by the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. LEARN MORE
Memorial Plaque for Dante Zambrini at Canfield Library
A memorial plaque has been placed in the Reading Den of the new Canfield Library in memory of the long-time Canfield Schools Superintendent who worked diligently on getting a new library in the community and raising funds for the project.
The room was sponsored in memory of Joseph, Ann and Dante Zambrini. Pictured are (from left): Deborah Liptak, Library Development Director; Georgette Peters; Joyce Brooks; and Heidi Daniel, Library Executive Director.
Children’s Early Learning Area at Boardman Library
Left: The Children’s Early Learning Garden in the newly remodeled Boardman Library was thanks to a generous donation by Mr. and Mrs. Reid Schmutz.
The Friends of Boardman Library donated the Children’s Early Learning Area inside the newly remodeled branch. Friends members gather to look at the new space.
Boardman Rotary Donates $10,000 to Sponsor Room as Part of Boardman Library Renovation
(August 22, 2016) The Boardman Rotary made a generous donation of $10,000 to sponsor the small Community Activity Room and Children’s Reading Room in the Boardman Library. The Library is appreciative of the Rotary’s support of the Boardman Library renovation project. Pictured (from left) are: Deborah Liptak, Library Development Director; Terry Daprile, Boardman Rotary President 2015/2016; and Heidi Daniel, Executive Director of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.
(July 26, 2016) Home Savings Charitable Foundation Presents Library with $10,000 Check in Sponsorship of Summer DiscoveryAuthor Breakfast Featuring Nancy Krulik
The Home Savings Charitable Foundation presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County (PLYMC) today in sponsorship of the Author Breakfast for the Library’s Summer Discovery Program.
Summer Discovery is summer reading fun and learning for all ages, which runs through August 13. For the children’s program, “On Your Mark, Get Set… READ!,” participants will complete badges by reading, attending Library programs and/or doing activities. Children who complete 8 badges by July 23 get a very special invitation to a breakfast featuring Nancy Krulic, author of the Katie Kazoo and George Brown books. The author’s appearance is thanks to the generous donation by the Home Savings Charitable Foundation.
HOME SAVINGS DONATION PHOTO: Pictured left to right: Barbara J. Radis, Senior Vice President , Retail Banking, Home Savings; Deborah Liptak, Library Development Director; Timothy Bresnahan, Library Board of Trustees and Chair of Board Development Committee; Heidi Daniel, Library Executive Director.
Library news release – Home Savings Donation
Library Receives $2,000 Grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to Support Summer Literacy
(May 31, 2016) The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County a $2,000 grant to support Summer Discovery, the Library’s summer literacy program for children, teens and adults. This local grant award is part of over $7.1 million in grants awarded to more than 900 schools, nonprofits and organizations across the 43 states that Dollar General serves. read more…
Youngstown Foundation’s Michael Kusalaba Fund Donates to Library for Branch on West Side
(October 9, 2015) The Youngstown Foundation announced a donation of $1.68 million to the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County on behalf of The Michael Kusalaba Fund.
The donation was specified for a library on the West Side, which will be named in his memory. read more…
The Board of Trustees Honors the Edward W. Powers Charitable Fund
(September 2014) The Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County honors the Edward W. Powers Charitable Fund for a generous donation in his memory of $48,000 for teen programming.
With this, the Library Foundation has established theEdward W. Powers Teen Program Fund. read more »
Western Reserve Elementary Students Raise Money for Tri-Lakes Library
May 26, 2015 – Members of the third grade class at Western Reserve Elementary School in Berlin Center, OH, donated $250 to the Tri-Lakes Branch Library Fundraising Campaign.
The Tri-Lakes Library, located in North Jackson, is a branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. read more »
Library Trustees Honor Centofanti Donation, appoint 2 new members
YOUNGSTOWN (January 22, 2015) – At their meeting today, the Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County honored The James and Coralie Centofanti Charitable Foundation for their generous donation of $200,000 to the capital campaign for the new Canfield Library.
The foundation made the donation October 23, 2014, and is the largest donor to-date in the campaign for the new library, which is currently under construction at 43 West Main St., Canfield. read more »
The Library Foundation establishes the Martha Muransky Children’s Literacy Fund
At their December 2015 meeting, the Board of Trustees, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, approved establishing the Martha Muransky Children’s Literacy Fund, named in honor of Martha Muransky (1923 – 2013).
The fund was started with $13,035 donated in memory after Mrs. Muransky’s passing in April and will be used to support Children’s Summer Reading and children’s literacy programs. read more »