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WARREN -- The public will have the opportunity to tour the newly remodeled and expanded Warren Library, 444 Mahoning Ave. NW, at a grand reopening celebration 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday that will include musical entertainment, children's events, refreshments and activities.
Construction began in April 2021 for the $5.3 million project to build a 14,800-square-foot, one-story addition onto the library and to renovate the library's original section that opened in 1971.
Cheryl Bush, marketing and public relations manager, said the addition features expanded space for children and teens. She said the new youth services addition houses "Kidspace" for families with children from birth through sixth grade, and "Teen Central" for kids in seventh through 12th grades.
The reopening will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m.
The library closed to the public on March 1 this year to accommodate the final stages of the construction and renovation project. Groundbreaking was held in April 2021.
Bush said the library administrators had hoped to re-open the building in phases, but due to supply chain delays, that plan was not feasible and instead the entire building will now open Aug. 20.
ANTICIPATION
"We are excited to be able to share news about the re-opening and to invite the community to join with us in celebrating completion of this project," Executive Director Jim Wilkins said.
"There has been great anticipation by our customers who are eager to return to the library, and we know they will be as thrilled as we are with all the updates and innovations we have incorporated into the building," he said.
Wilkins said the new children's section is now three times larger and has a theme, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."
"Andy Bednar, one of the architects, came up with this theme and we loved it. It incorporates the local history with planes with Ernie Hall, trains being a big part of the area, and automobiles with the Packard car," Wilkins said.
The area includes decorative car steering wheels, wings of a plane, and a couch made to look like suitcases,
Lori Faust, youth services manager, said the vehicles such as cars and trains are always popular with children.
"I like how the room appeals to a variety of ages. We have signs that explain the tribute to the local history of planes, trains and automobiles. There are 12 elements that tie into transportation," Faust said.
The section has 26 colors incorporated into the area, with several reading areas for children.
Faust said there is an activity area for children's activities.
TEEN TIME
Sarah Amazing, teen librarian, said the Teen Central area is much larger for different events such as teen game night and also a lab area with technology.
"This is three times the size of the former teen space. The teens will be excited about that,'' she said.
The project team includes Warren based architecture firm Baker Bednar Snyder and Associates Inc.; and VendRick Construction of Brookfield.
Bush said bookshelves were rearranged in the main room adult section creating more space. Stained glass windows that were in a stairwell were moved to the main section for more visibility including an image of Sarah Dana Harmon, the mother of one of the library's original founders. Dr. Julian Harmon from the 1870s.
Wilkins said the library building's original section was completely renovated. Old bookshelves were replaced with new, shorter ones that will help to brighten the space with natural sunlight from the windows that line the exterior walls, and allow easier access to the books on the shelves.
Bush said multiple meeting rooms located on the first floor will be available for the public to reserve and range from large gathering spaces that can accommodate up to 120 people to single-use study rooms.
Wikins said one large room on the first floor is the "Harding Room" for programs and events with large screens.
MORE PARKING
Bush said the parking lot was reconfigured with 26 additional parking spaces.
Also, a fire sprinkler system was installed throughout the building, and new lighting.
Bush said many people have not been in the library for some time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. Programs were not held in person with many going online, and hours had to be reduced for access to the building.
"We are excited we have a full schedule of in-person events starting this fall at the library. We are going back to our pre-pandemic hours,'' Bush said.
She said during the open house people will be able to walk throughout the building.
The celebration will also feature gaming in Teen Central; balloon artist and magician Nate the Great; children can meet storybook characters "Elephant" and "Piggie" from the popular book series by Mo Willems; and hands-on activities and crafts will be available in the Sutliff Museum located on the second floor.
Regular library hours will begin on Aug. 22. The library will return to its pre-pandemic operating hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and is closed on Sunday.