Branch Recommendations

Main Library
305 Wick Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44503
(330) 744-8636

Exterior and Interior Photos:

Service Area:
1990 Census Population of Primary Service Area: 264,806 (County Population)
2000 Census Population of Primary Service Area: 257,555
2003 Population Estimate for Primary Service Area: 253,223
2008 Population Projection for Primary Service Area: 246,061

Six-Year Circulation History:

Circulation Trend:
The Main Library has performed quite well compared to most urban central libraries in older "rust-belt" cities. In fact, the Main Library has seen a significant Renaissance in recent years and circulation had been on a steady increase since 1999. Circulation decreased 6.6% in 2003; however, 2003 circulation was still more than twenty percent higher than it was in 1999.

Year(s) of Additions: 1996

Year(s) of Major Remodeling: 1954, 1996, 2002

Year(s) and Nature of Refurbishing Projects: restoration of original reading
room and renovation/relocation of administrative offices and other "back of house" functions; addition of Main Library children's services area; remodeling of structural stack area into computer workstations and display space.

Total Size: 74,633 sq. ft. ??

Space Currently in Use: ??,???
There is a question regarding what space has been included in calculations of the building's overall size and what unused/underused spaces on the upper levels of the original structure could be used in the future.

SF per capita (using service population): .29 sq. ft. per capita (County population)

Physical Condition Rating:
(5 point scale - 1 = Very Poor, 2 = Poor, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent)

Overall Condition:
Structural Integrity:
Roof:
HVAC:
Electrical:
Plumbing:
Fenestration:
ADA Accessibility Issues:
Other (specify):

Overall Site/Location Rating:
Convenience:
Visibility:
Curb Appeal:
Parking:
Size of Site/Expansion Potential:
Proximity (to shopping, services, etc.):

Distances to Nearest Branches/Main:
North 1.2 miles
East 1.5 miles
South 1.5 miles
West 3.0 miles
Campbell 3.7 miles
Brownlee Woods 3.8 miles
Struthers 4.9 miles
Austintown 5.1 miles

Estimated Annual Operational Cost (2003):
$ 2,166,013

Estimated Staffing Costs (2003):
$ 1,632,607

Professional/Clerical Bi-Weekly Pay Percentage (2003):
58.28% Professional, 41.71% Clerical

Current Collection Size:
225,387

Cost per Circulation:
$ 7.26

Circulation per Sq. Ft.:
3.87

Circulation per Hour Open:
91.76

Visits per Capita:
78 (County population)

Visits per Hour Open:
60.76

Reference Transactions per Hour Open:
14.87

Turnover Rate:
1.32

Main Library summary
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County's Main Library is quite remarkable in several ways. Compared to many urban central libraries, the Library has performed very well. Its usage continues to be strong, and in fact in most recent years, it has increased.

New, and very exciting, possibilities are now unfolding for the Main Library. The recent construction of residential housing in close proximity to the Library by the Youngstown State University appears to be just a hint of what is to come. Plans for the "Smokey Hollow" development would add a significant new dimension to the Library's services. It would add a role as a popular neighborhood library to its more traditional reference and research functions.

The original building was constructed in 1910. A major addition was built in 1996. Over the years, the building has undergone several rounds of remodeling. However, a significant amount of space in the original building is not usable for public purposes. Adequate meeting facilities are lacking and space is not available to create a children's services area large enough to meet current needs, let alone those that are developing. Parking is marginally acceptable at the current time and will become inadequate as use of the facility grows.

Recommended Action for Main, adopted by Library Trustees on March 18, 2004:
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County has the opportunity to play a major role in the redevelopment of the inner city. The development of the Main Library as a countywide "destination" would help "anchor" other redevelopment activities in the area. The Library should continue working with community planners to develop a plan for the expansion of the Main Library. The expansion should be large enough to, at a minimum, provide space for a new children's service department, a separate young adult area, several meeting facilities, additional space for popular materials (fiction, non-print, etc.), and amenities, which have been so well received in other locations. The Main Library should be the center point of the whole system and a significant source of pride to both the county and city.