Warren-Trumbull Library To Complete Expansion

WARREN, Ohio – The $4.8 million expansion and renovation of the Warren library is on track to be completed in late summer.

The project at the largest building in the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library system includes a 14,800 square-foot addition.

When complete, the project will expand space for the library’s collection of books, music and other materials. It will also add space to the children’s and teen departments and allow them to enhance their programming and resources, according to Jim Wilkins, executive director.

Sections of the current building are being renovated to better support the library’s increasing technology needs and to provide more flexible spaces, Wilkins says. The number of study and public meeting rooms will increase from three to 15 and will include rooms that can accommodate up to 120 people.

“This is an exciting time as we see the construction progressing,” he relates. “With this additional space and the modifications to the original library, we will be able to offer new opportunities for our customers in a vibrant and welcoming space.”

Construction material shortages caused some brief delays last year, but Wilkins notes that the project
has stayed within its expected 18-month timeframe.

The Warren Library will be closed to the public for several weeks in early spring while materials from the children’s and teen areas are moved into the new section and renovations are started on the first floor of the original library space.

Renovations will continue after the new section opens, with both sides of the building expected to reopen in late summer.

The W-TCPL libraries in Brookfield, Cortland, Howland, Liberty and Lordstown will remain open during the temporary Warren Library shutdown, and the Bookmobile will add weekly stops in the Warren Library parking lot, Wilkins says.

Here are some other W-TCPL highlights from 2021:

• Kimberly Garrett of Howland joined the W-TCPL as deputy director following the retirement of Jan Vaughn after nearly 24 years.

• A new automated pickup option for customers debuted in early 2021 with the installation of outdoor pickup lockers at two locations. The lockers, located outside the Cortland and Liberty libraries, are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Customers can now have their reserved materials placed in a locker for after-hours pickup.

• A free mobile app was introduced that allows library cardholders to easily connect with their account, the library catalog, and the digital library.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.