CANFIELD — Renovations — and how they’ll be paid for — were on everyone’s mind during a committee meeting Thursday for the library system.

The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County trustee board’s development committee discussed renovation of the main library in Youngstown.

Renovation of the building at 305 Wick Ave. is anticipated to start this summer, and will occur systematically, said Aimee Fifarek, executive director of the library system.

Cost is estimated to be $25 million, according to Janet Loew, library system spokeswoman.

She also noted that trustees “have been saving for several decades for the renovation,” so taxpayers will not be impacted by the project.

“We’re still working on the phasing” of the entire construction project, said Fifarek.

While the construction is being done in phases, Fifarek explained that portions of the structure will be closed, and certain programs will be redirected to other libraries.

Working together as construction manager are Dawn Inc. of Warren and AMHigley Co. of Cleveland.

Bostwick Design Partnership of Cleveland will serve as the project architect. Bostwick Design is working locally with RBF CoLab and Paul Hagman, collaborating architect, on restoration design.

CT Consultants of Youngstown is the civil engineer.

Once the updated library is ready to be unveiled, the goal is to have a gala on site, explained Deborah Liptak, development director. The gala, which would also be a capital fundraising event, would be held toward the end of 2021 or the beginning of 2022.

In line with this, the board also discussed the formation of the Main Renovation Capital Campaign Committee. “I want this to be a very special committee,” said Liptak.

Discussing some people they feel would be a good fit for the campaign committee, Liptak said that the potential members should believe in the library and community.

Also in attendence were: Tina McBane, deputy fiscal officer of the system; Dr. David Ritchie, president of the board of trustees; Timothy Bresnahan, chairman of the committee; and JoAnn Stock and Judith Schmutz, trustees.