Most Library Branches to Reopen Aug. 3

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Most branches of the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County will reopen Aug. 3, said Aimee Fifarek, executive director of the library, at a virtual meeting of the library’s board of trustees.

The Austintown, Boardman, Canfield, East, Micahel Kusalaba, Poland, Struthers and Tri-Lakes libraries will reopen Aug. 3, joining the Newport, Brownlee Woods, Sebring and Springfield branches that reopened July 13. For the time being, the Campbell, Greenford and Main branches will remain closed. 

Staff at Main are working on a reduced-service area to serve visitors during constutrction at the branch, while Greenford is too small to meet social distancing requirements. The Campbell library branch will open once the Community Literacy, Workforce and Cultural Center, which houses the branch, opens to the public.

“We are so pleased to be able to welcome our patrons into our libraries throughout the county and bring back a very popular service, browsing our collection,” Fifarek said in a statement. “We are asking the public to have patience during the days leading up to August 3, as this transition period may lead to some delays with phone service or curbside pickup. Our staff is gearing up to provide service and they are letting us know that they have missed being able to help our patrons with their library needs.”  

Per Gov. Mike DeWine’s order issued Wednesday, face coverings must be worn by all older than 6 in the library, including staff. Libraries will have free masks available for those that don’t have their own. Locations that open will have safety measures in place, such as social distancing, plexiglass dividers and reduced capacities. 

The first hour of service at each branch will be limited to those older than 65 or who have underlying health conditions. 

The Brownlee Woods library will temporarily house the system’s Business Center, Jobs and Career Center and the Grant Center.

The hours and capacities for each branch are:

• Austintown, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, capacity 70.
• Boardman, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, capacity 77.
• Brownlee Woods, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., capacity 19.
• Canfield, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, capacity 70.
• East, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, capacity 34.
• Michael Kusalaba, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, capacity 43.
• Newport, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, capacity 35.
• Poland, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, capacity 74.
• Sebring, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, capacity 14.
• Springfield, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, capacity 13.
• Struthers, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, capacity 24.
• Tri-Lakes, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, capacity 25.

At the virtual board meeting, the trustees also added T. Sharon Woodberry, director of economic development for the city of Youngstown’s Department of Community Planning and Economic Development, to its ranks. 

It also approved the contract between the library and SEIU District 1199 clerical, maintenance and technical  and a retirement incentive program for members of the Public Librarians Association of Youngstown and SEIU 1199 members that will allow staff to take a lump sum payment between $2,000 and $5,000 with their last paycheck. The plan was designed to help avoid layoffs during the COVID-19 staffing plan.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.