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Public asked to help plan Youngstown library future

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The public will have a chance to share thoughts about their library system at public input meetings planned for Aug. 20, 21 and 22.

This is the next step in the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County's planning process, now underway.

The Library is including public input in several ways as part of this process. Earlier this year, the Library offered a survey and over 2,000 residents submitted their thoughts. In addition, small group community conversations were held throughout the county.

The new plan, My Library 2020, is expected to be completed by the end of this year and run from 2014 to 2020. "PLYMC needs to identify our North Star," said Heidi M. Daniel, Library Director. "This plan should be a roadmap, a living, breathing document, because we should be prepared for detours, twists and turns over the next six years as situations change."

Meetings have been set for:

• Main Library, Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 6 p.m.
• Austintown Library, Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m.
• Newport Library, Thursday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m.

Along with public input, the planning process also includes evaluating all Library facilities and studying service area data and projections, trends, and demographics. The planning process will include the Library Director, several Library Trustees, and Library staff, along with representatives from the community. The timeline projects that the plan will be completed by December for approval by the Library Board of Trustees.