Branch Recommendations

South Library
1771 Market St.
Youngstown, OH 44507
(330) 747-6424

Photo:

Service Area:
1990 Census Population of Primary Service Area: 22,158
2000 Census Population of Primary Service Area: 17,519
2002 Population Estimate for Primary Service Area: 16,292
2007 Population Projection for Primary Service Area: 14,478

Six-Year Circulation History:

Circulation Trend:

The South Branch Library's circulation declined in 2003 after several years of slight increases. The 2003 circulation represents the low point in the six-year period charted above.

Year Built: 1929

Year(s) of Additions: None

Year(s) of Major Remodeling: 1972

Year(s) and Nature of Refurbishing Projects: New façade in 1972 including the addition of a ramp for handicapped accessibility. Complete revision of floor plan as well as the addition of new lighting and furnishings.

Total Size: 12,900

Space Currently in Use: 6,450

Reason(s) Total Space Not in Use: Lower level is inaccessible.

SF per capita (using service population): .40 sq. ft. per capita

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

Overall Condition: 3
Structural Integrity: 3
Roof: 3
HVAC: 3
Electrical: 3
Plumbing: 3
Fenestration: 1 (none)
Ambiance: 2
ADA Accessibility Issues: 2
Other (specify):

Site/Location Rating:
(5 point scale - 1 = Very Poor, 2 = Poor, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent)

Overall Site/Location Rating: 3
Convenience: 4
Visibility: 4
Curb Appeal: 1
Parking: 3
Size of Site/Expansion Potential:2
Proximity (to shopping, services, etc.): 2

Distances to Nearest Branches/Main:
Main 1.5 miles
East 2.5 miles
Brownlee 3.4 miles
West 3.4 miles
Campbell 4.3 miles
Struthers 4.7 miles
Austintown 4.9 miles
Boardman 5.1 miles
Poland 5.8 miles

Current Hours of Operation: http://www.libraryvisit.org/locations.htm

Estimated Annual Operational Cost (2003):

$ 165,959

Estimated Staffing Costs (2003):

$ 70,330

Professional/Clerical Bi-Weekly Pay Percentage (2003):

73.73% Professional, 26.27% Clerical

Current Collection Size:

40,813

Cost per Circulation:

$ 5.17

Circulation per Sq. Ft.:

4.97

Circulation per Hour Open:

19.17

Visits per Capita:

1.81

Visits per Hour Open:

19.13

Reference Transactions per Hour Open:

1.13

Turnover Rate:

0.79

South summary:
The South Library was originally built in 1929. A new daunting façade was added to the building in 1972. The interior of the facility was completely remodeled at that time as well. The building is now a windowless box that has a very institutional look and feel. Although the building contains 12,900 square feet of space, half of it (the lower level) is not in use. Consequently, the building provides only .4 square feet per capita; somewhat below the .6 square feet per capita recommended for neighborhood/community libraries.

Although population in this area of the City has declined and continues to decline, the Southside (not including the Brownlee Woods area) is still home to over 16,000 people. Although the current South Library is quite visible on the Market Street corridor, the building is only 1.5 miles south of the Main Library. The Boardman Library is 5 miles to the south.

The South Branch performs poorly on some measures. Its cost per circulation is quite high ($ 5.16/circulation), although it is considerably lower than cost per circulation at the North Branch ($ 8.13). Collection turnover is also quite poor, indicating that the collection may be larger than necessary or that it is not highly relevant to residents of the area.

Recommended Action for South, adopted by Library Trustees on March 18, 2004:
The South Branch Library needs to be replaced with a facility of approximately 7,000 - 8,000 square feet to enable it to serve the 12,000 - 14,000 people projected to live in the community over the next decade. The new location should be placed somewhat south of its current location. The Library should work in close cooperation with community planners to determine how the Library can contribute to a revitalization/redevelopment of the area. In the short term, consideration might be given to soften the look of the interior of the current building. Consideration should also be given to adding more computers and reducing the number of volumes in the Library's collection and to increasing the relevancy of the collection offered to better match community needs.