There was excitement as the first students and families walked into the public library in Campbell located inside the Community Literacy Workforce and Cultural Center. 

Inside Emily enjoyed exploring the world through books with her mom Leah. They also enjoy the large selection of books in Spanish too. Leah said, "I think this is such a wonderful thing for the community. They have a large selection of Spanish books good for kids who are bilingual or for parents wanting to learn English. I think this library is wonderful for the community."

The library offers Wi-Fi, lap tops for use while there, movies, magazines, a study room and so much more.There are large print items at the handicapped accessible facility.

Erin Phemester, Director of Youth Services and Programming said, "You can find out how to do a business plan, and for kids and teens you can explore STEM concepts with your teachers, and then come over there and find fun things to do at home and keep the fun and learning going on at home. We hope everybody does that."

The location in the community center is a partnership between the public library system and Campbell School District.

Deborah McCullough Deputy Director of the Mahoning Public Library System said, "Staff will be programming, doing STEM activities for them, and as well with our book collection supporting teachers in their curriculum."

Campbell School Superintendent Matthew Bowen added, "The partnership allows our schools to introduce kids to stem programs, much earlier, in elementary schools instead of waiting until high school. There are additional advantages. All our students will have a library card and it will allow them to access the on line resources that the public library has to offer. This is beyond the resources we have as a district."


There is a Bistro inside. McCullough added, "A pick up locker will be in the lobby. People can just scan their library card and a door will open and all of the reserves they placed on hold will be in that pick up locker. The facility opens at 7 am and the library Monday through Thursday opens noon to 7:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday the library opens from 9 in the morning to x in the evening. There is also a new feature they don't have in any other library. Another thing that's coming soon is a vending machine in the lobby that we will replenish with materials from here. It will have adult and children's materials. When they close the door the books are automatically checked out to them. They must have a library card to gain access."

Everyone who enters is required to wear a mask and observe social distancing. There is a limit of the number of people inside, plus other pandemic precautions have been put in place to comply with Ohio state health department orders.