YOUNGSTOWN – The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (PLYMC) recently received a $100,000 donation from The Schmutz Family Foundation for the restoration of Main Library’s Grand Reading Room.
“This wonderful donation from Judy, Reid, and the Schmutz Family Foundation falls in line with the historic gift that Andrew Carnegie provided more than a century ago to buy the land to build Main Library. Gifts like these help us to build, renovate, and restore our libraries, while support from our communities helps to maintain our Library’s operations,” said Aimee Fifarek, PLYMC Executive Director and CEO.
The Library Foundation raises funds for resources such as promoting literacy, workforce development, and children’s programming while support from public levies helps to maintain the Library’s operations.
“The Schmutz Family Foundation is excited to support the renovation of Main Library, especially the restoration of the Grand Reading Room,” said Judy Schmutz, co-founder of The Schmutz Family Foundation and member of the PLYMC Board of Trustees. “PLYMC has a long history of serving the Valley as a community hub for connection, learning, and discovery, and it is our hope that with the restoration of this beautiful space, generations of readers, learners, and innovators will enjoy the historic Grand Reading Room for years to come.”
The Grand Reading Room is one of the most recognizable spaces in Main Library with its tall ceilings and Parthenon Frieze. As part of this final phase of the renovation, the original skylight will be uncovered and restored.
“Once restored, Main Library’s Grand Reading Room will enhance the patron experience while preserving a treasured piece of Library and Valley history. On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, we are thankful for the Schmutz Family Foundation’s gift and continued support of the Library,” said Carole Weimer, President of PLYMC Board of Trustees.
“We are grateful for the Schmutz Family Foundation’s support and investment in the future of Main Library, and we’re excited about the momentum this generosity brings to our Main Library Capital Campaign,” PLYMC Development Director Deborah Liptak said.
For more information on the Library’s Capital Campaign and how to donate, visit https://www.libraryvisit.org/giving/ or contact Deborah Liptak, PLYMC Development Director at 330-740-6086 ordliptak@libraryvisit.org.
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The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (PLYMC) has served the Mahoning Valley since 1880, when the Youngstown Library Association was officially created. With 15 branches across Mahoning County, including our Main Library in downtown Youngstown, the PLYMC is well known for signature services and programs like Summer Discovery and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. The mission and values of PLYMC to “connect, inspire, and enrich” position the Library to serve our communities by preparing children for kindergarten, promoting early literacy, assisting job seekers, connecting Valley residents to technology, and providing resources for small businesses.
