PLYMC responds to citizens group calling for overhaul of library system

A coalition of citizens is considering filing a legal complaint with the Ohio Attorney General against the Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. 

During a press conference Tuesday, the Citizens for Responsible Spending called for a change in the structure of the Mahoning County library system, as well as clarity on how the library uses taxpayer dollars and elects board members. 

The library is funded through a 2.4 mill levy that is voted on by Mahoning County residents as well as the Public Library Fund. 

The Citizens for Responsible Spending claims that the voters do not properly understand what the library was spending money on, and if they did, they would not approve the levy. 

"If there was a levy on the ballot that asked the people to spend $27 million on that main library, using out of town vendors, adding such amenities as a culinary kitchen, an electric charging station, and a 125 person meeting room, would that levy have passed?" said Citizens for Responsible Spending member Debbie Taylor. 

The group also accuses the library of "mission creep," claiming they spend too much of their funds on non-book related services like a culinary kitchen, and crafting and therapy services. The group objects to library's deviation from traditional library services, expanding beyond education and literacy. 

"Just stick to books," said Taylor. 

The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County disagree with the organizations accusations. 

"The accusations of "mission creep" lack any compassion and understanding for our county's needs from a public library. Our programs and services evolve with our communities, and we take great pride in meeting those needs," said PLYMC Strategic Communications Officer, Michael Stepp. 

Library officials say that the services provided by library are a necessity to those people in the community. 

"The people who are walking through our doors everyday are using out services, in fact, if they hear about a service that could potentially go away, they get upset," said Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County CEO and Director Aimee Fifarek. "We are here to provide lifelong learning services to people." 

The Citizens for Responsible Spending also took aim at the way the library selects board members and the lack of local control. 

"They have no kind of oversight, the government itself hasn't been doing a good job of overseeing what's going on, there hasn't been a financial audit since 2019, six years ago," said Citizens for Responsible Spending member Tom Zamary. 

However, according to Fifarek, the library is audited regularly, every two years. 

Fifarek also says that board members are appointed through a nominating committee, and that there are 15 board members, including two non-voting members. 

The Citizens for Responsible Spending also mentioned the board's recent decision to consider relocating the Poland branch, due to structural issues. However, no decision has been made yet on the future of the library. 

"If there was a levy, that was specifically put on the ballot to abandon a beautiful building less than 25 years old to replace it with a brand new one, would that have passed?" asked Taylor. 

"These individuals involved seek to undermine and attack our very existence simply because they disagree with our efforts to address 25-year-old structural defects, all of which stem from poor decisions made by firms the Library hired and trusted to design the only building out of 14 branches that these people seem to care about," said Stepp.