Branch Recommendations

West Library
2815 Mahoning Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44509
(330) 799-7171

Photo:

Service Area:
1990 Census Population of Primary Service Area: 23,003
2000 Census Population of Primary Service Area: 20,965
2003 Population Estimate for Primary Service Area: 20,401
2008 Population Projection for Primary Service Area: 19,424

Six-Year Circulation History:

Circulation Trend:

Overall trend is downward. Some of the 16.4% drop in use in 2003 is probably due to the fact that the new Austintown Library is considerably closer to West (2.2 miles) than was the old Austintown facility (3.6 miles). Population in the Library's service area is also declining although not as rapidly as in some other areas of the City of Youngstown.

Year Built: 1928

Year(s) of Additions: 1972

Year(s) of Major Remodeling: 1972

Year(s) and Nature of Refurbishing Projects: The 1972 addition provided new public space and relegated the original structure to use as a non-accessible meeting room, space for the Special Outgoing Services (SOS) program, and some other staff space. Bookmobile garage space was also added.

Total Size: 8,900

Space Currently in Use: 8,900

Reason(s) Total Space Not in Use: All space is in use although much of it is not ideal and consequently is poorly used.

SF per capita (using service population): .44 sq. ft. per capita

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

Overall Condition: 2
Structural Integrity: 2
Roof: 2
HVAC: 2
Electrical: 3
Plumbing: 2
Fenestration: 3
Ambiance: 2 (very dated)
ADA Accessibility Issues: 1
Other (specify):

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

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

Distances to Nearest Branches/Main:
Austintown 2.2 miles
Main 3.0 miles
South 3.4 miles
East 4.2 miles

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

Estimated Annual Operational Cost (2003):

$ 524,876 (includes SOS)

Estimated Staffing Costs (2003):

$ 366,544

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

48.23% Professional, 51.77% Clerical

Current Collection Size:

67735

Cost per Circulation:

$ 4.89 (including SOS circulation)

Circulation per Sq. Ft.:

12.06 (including SOS circulation) (8.17 if only branch circulation is counted)

Circulation per Hour Open:

64.10 (43.39 if only branch circulation is counted)

Visits per Capita:

2,21

Visits per Hour Open:

26.94

Reference Transactions per Hour Open:

2.41

Turnover Rate:

1.49

West summary:
The West Branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is actually two or three poorly connected buildings built in 1928 and 1972 respectively (the building also includes a bookmobile garage that was added some time in the building's history). Although the total space available is 8,900 square feet, much of this is underutilized due to the poor design of the interface between the two structures. The West Library suffers from many structural deficits, and, with the possible exception of the East Library, is in the poorest overall condition of any facility in the system.

Several of the multiple roof areas on the building(s) are failing. The multiple heating systems are in poor condition and it is suspected that hot water heating conduit in the floors have failed or are failing. The building's electrical system is inadequate to support technology and lighting in the building is poor. A parking area, located in the rear of the building is a good distance away from the Library's entrance.

While use of this branch has been dropping, it is still very respectable. Over forty items (43.39) are checked out during an average open hour.

The PLYMC's Special Outgoing Services (SOS) program is inconveniently housed in the lower level of the older portion of the building. A meeting room and restrooms are completely inaccessible to individuals with handicaps.

Recommended Action for West, adopted by Library Trustees on March 18, 2004:
The current West Branch facility is not worth salvaging. Public comments also seem to indicate that there is a question in the mind of some whether it would be a prudent use of funds to invest in a replacement for this building, given that it is located fairly close to two of the Library system's largest branches (Main, 3.0 miles away) and Austintown (2.2 miles away). Use of this facility by the public should continue to be monitored and a decision made in the future as to continued operation and whether or not a major capital investment is warranted. Some short-term fixes of the current structure will be necessary in the time being [consider closing]