Library News

Plans Moving Forward for Warren Library Expansion

(WARREN, OH; Jan. 27, 2021) – After some delay in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the previously announced expansion project at the Warren Library, 444 Mahoning Ave. NW, is moving forward this spring.

The board of trustees for the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library (W-TCPL) system last year announced plans for a 14,800 sq. ft. one-story addition to be built onto the south side of the library in Warren. The addition will increase the library building’s size by about 25%, from 58,029 sq. ft. to about 72,000 sq. ft. Sections of the current building will also be renovated to better support the library’s increasing technology needs and the need for more flexible spaces and meeting rooms.

W-TCPL Director Jim Wilkins said the majority of the Warren Library’s new space will be utilized for the Children’s Department and the Teen Area to expand so they can offer enhanced programming and resources. The library will also increase its number of meeting spaces from two to 11, with various size rooms to accommodate from 2 to 120 people.

The project will go out for bids in February 2021, with construction expected to begin in late March or early April. The project may take 18 to 24 months to complete.

Tentative plans call for the Warren Library to be closed to the public March 14 – 27, 2021 while some sections of the library are moved or rearranged in preparation for the construction. Areas to be relocated on the first floor of the library include: all Children’s Department book shelves, tables, computers, and desks; adult public computers; and fiction and nonfiction book shelves.

No library materials will be due during the closure, but customers may return items to outside book/media drops. All other W-TCPL locations will remain open during the Warren shutdown.

“We know some of these changes will be an inconvenience for our customers, and we are trying to keep any disruption of service during the construction to a minimum,” Wilkins said. “After this initial closure, we plan for the library to remain open during construction, with only occasional closures of select sections of the library for limited time periods.”

“Our hope is that by the time this building project is complete, our community will be able to come together to enjoy this dynamic new space for studying, learning, working, and relaxing,” Wilkins added.

The library Board is working with the Warren based architecture firm of Baker Bednar Snyder & Associates Inc. for the estimated $9 million building project.

About the Warren Library

The Warren Library was built in 1971 and currently has 58,029 square feet on two floors with an attached garage.

About the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library system

The W-TCPL system includes libraries in Brookfield, Cortland, Howland, Liberty, Lordstown, and Warren; a Bookmobile that travels throughout Trumbull County; outreach library services including a Library by Mail program; and a 24/7 website at www.wtcpl.org.

W-TCPL Board of Trustees members are Melissa Lattanzi, president; Donald Emerson, Jr., vice president; Michael McGee, secretary; and James Duff, Paulette Edington, Franklin Manios, and Karen Scher.

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For more information, contact: Cheryl Bush, Marketing & Public Relations Manager, at bushc@wtcpl.org.