The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (PLYMC) announces the launch of its 2025 Annual Campaign, with donations directly supporting the library’s transformation of the Michael Kusalaba Branch into a dedicated “, opens a new windowFamily Place Library™, opens a new window—the first of its kind in the region.
Since March 2025, PLYMC’s team has been preparing the Michael Kusalaba Branch to become part of the national Family Place Libraries network, a model that creates early learning environments for very young children and their caregivers. The initiative is designed to strengthen families, build community connections, and foster early literacy and lifelong learning.
“Libraries are not only about books—they are about strengthening families and supporting children from their earliest years,” said Aimee Fifarek, Director and CEO of PLYMC. “The Family Place Library model helps us deliver on our mission to serve as a hub for growth, wonder, and community enrichment. With the support of our donors, we can provide families in Mahoning County with resources, programming, and expertise that will have a lasting impact,” added Fifarek.
The Family Place Library™ program will include:
- The Family Place Series – a five-week Parent/Child Workshop program for toddlers, parents, and caregivers, offering hands-on play, activities, and one-on-one access to early childhood and family support specialists.
- Specialized collections of books, toys, music, and multimedia materials for babies, toddlers, parents, and service providers.
- ParentTV, an online video resource with expert parenting advice on topics ranging from pregnancy through the teen years.
- Lantern, a text-messaging service providing caregivers with parenting tips, resources, and fun activities tailored to their child’s age.
The Michael Kusalaba Branch was selected due to its proximity to local schools and the demographics of the community it serves, making it an ideal home for this initiative.