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HOWLAND -- They're turning the page at the Howland branch of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library with a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday that kicked off its $2.2 million in renovations.
The construction will add additional space, which includes a gathering room in the children's area, expansion of the youth programming space, updating the circulation area, adding a bathroom and a study area plus individual study areas behind the shelves that will be adjusted to bring in more light.
"We want to offer use for all the reasons people come to the library," said Eric Callahan, Howland branch manager.
Describing the new furniture that will be in the building, Kimberly Garrett, executive director of Warren-Trumbull County Public Library said, "We really are a community hub. So, we want to have flexible seating and easy to move tables so we can accommodate anyone who is here for any purpose."
Concerning the branch, which opened in 1998, and the use by younger members of the community, Garrett said, "Our Howland location is almost neck and neck with attendance for youth programs (as much) as our Warren location is."
Andrew R. Bednar, Director of Design at Baker, Bednar Snyder & Associates Inc., described the children's area expansion.
"We have developed a U.S. National Parks theme throughout the entire space. That is a broad theme that can appeal to children as well as adults," he said.
Discussing the mural that will be painted on the entire back wall of the children's area, Bednar said, "It is a compilation of a variety of elements that you might see in a national park. It is not one image but a compilation of a series of images."
The main focus of the theme is the children's area but aspects will be in other portions of the library.
Garrett applauded the design, which keeps the integrity of the existing space while updating it and bringing in a sense of imagination and playfulness.
The children's area is often used to tutor students.
Ashley Deans of Vienna tutors a first grader twice a week in Language Arts and Mathematics to avoid the summer slide. Deans said she was excited to see the result of the expansion of the children's area.
In anticipation of the construction, Taylor Kundel-Gowder, children's librarian, holds children's story time for children six months to six years old at 10 a.m. Wednesdays at the Rotary Pavilion in Howland Park.
Gower sees the positivity of the expansion. "It is an excellent problem to have that there is a high demand for our space, and it is an excellent solution of the expansion that works for everybody."
Friends of the Howland Branch of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library members Shelly Anderson and Lisa Thirion provided cookies and water for guests who took the tour of the facility to learn more about the upcoming changes.
They are both excited for the additional space that the construction will provide.
"The library is a great resource for our community," said Anderson.
Thirion added, "Libraries are the jewels of your community."
Garrett happily commented that they did not have to go to the voters to ask for funding for this project and commended the library's Fiscal Officer Rob Chismar.
"We save through the years to anticipate future needs. We are very cognizant of our fiscal responsibility when using taxpayer funding," said Chismar.
The branch will be closed starting in September until the completion of the renovation project, which is expected to be in the spring.
Township residents will have the opportunity to borrow books and movies, pick up holds and return items at a twice-weekly bookmobile stop from three to six p.m. on Tuesdays, beginning Sept. 8, at Richard E. Orwig Park and from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. on Thursdays, beginning Sept. 10, at Medici Museum of Art.