West Library Branch to Close April 30

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County’s West Branch will close April 30 to prepare for construction of the Michael Kusalaba Branch at the site.

The branch, 2815 Mahoning Ave., will close at 6 p.m., the Public Library announced. System officials are targeting a 2017 opening for the new branch, which is estimated to cost $2.9 million.

The Michael Kusalaba Fund of the Youngstown Foundation donated $1.68 million for construction of the new library.

Over the summer, library staff will clean out the building and saved items will be retained by the library. The library and Friends of the Library will hold public sale of books and other items that will not be used in the new building within the next few months. That sale will take place in the building before it is demolished.

Architect Ron Faniro is completing building schematics. A public meeting is planned within the next few months to unveil the exterior and interior design.

Patrons who have library materials checked out can return them to the West Library before April 30 or at any of the other 14 libraries in the system, particularly the nearest libraries, Main Library and the Austintown Branch, which are open six days a week. Book drops will remain on the West Library site for several months.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.