HOWLAND, Ohio – Construction is set to begin in mid-July on the planned renovation and expansion project at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library’s Howland branch, 9095 E. Market St.
The $2.2 million project will include adding 1,400 square feet onto the library building, renovating the interior and updating infrastructure. The project will be fully funded through the library’s capital budget, a news release states.
The renovation and expansion project is aimed at modernizing the original 1998 building to better meet the evolving needs of the community.
The renovation will introduce a dedicated children’s programming room, a designated area for teens and creation of private study rooms and collaborative spaces. Staff workspaces will also be reconfigured.
The project will also address infrastructure needs, including a new roof, replacement of original carpeting and furnishings, upgrades to the building’s drainage systems, regrading of the surrounding property to improve water management, repair of minor foundation cracks and replacement of PVC piping in the HVAC system with steel piping to help prevent future leaks.
“This project is about much more than bricks and mortar – it is about creating a library that better serves the people of Howland today and for generations to come,” said Kimberly Garrett, executive director of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library. “By expanding programming space for children, creating dedicated areas for teens and enhancing opportunities for learning, collaboration and connection, we are investing in a facility that will continue to enhance lives by connecting people and ideas.”
The Warren-Trumbull County Public Library Board of Trustees selected United Contractors Inc. of Brookfield as the project’s general contractor after a competitive public bidding process. Architectural services will be provided by Baker Bednar Snyder & Associates of Warren, which has led the planning and design process.
To accommodate construction activities during the second phase of the project, the library will be closed to the public beginning Sept. 8 and will remain closed throughout the duration of the project. Library materials will be moved to storage, and staff will be reassigned to other Warren-Trumbull County Public Library locations.
Construction is expected to continue into early spring, with project completion and a tentative library reopening date anticipated in March 2027.
During the temporary closure, the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library will continue to serve the Howland community by adding weekly Bookmobile stops and partnering with local organizations to offer programming at other community locations.
Photo via Facebook | Warren-Trumbull County Public Library System.