YOUNGSTOWN — Emma Miles pinpointed where many of her ancestors originated in southern England, though she didn’t have to cross the Atlantic Ocean to do so.

“It’s incredible. I love the light and glass ceiling,” Miles, of Poland, said, referring to some of the additions to the main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Miles, who came with a group of several women, also was intrigued by three maps in the new genealogy room: One each of which showed the world, the United States and much of Ohio and Pennsylvania. It was on the world map that she placed several small colored stickers to denote that her grandparents, great-grandparents and parents hailed mainly from Cornwall and Lands End, England.

“I love this aspect,” she said about the maps.

Those were among the offerings Miles enjoyed as part of a New Chapter celebration Saturday afternoon at the facility on Wick Avenue.

The five-hour event was to showcase the library, which opened in 1910, and the $27 million in renovations and additions that went into it, including a restored colored glass skylight above the grand reading room. Also part of the work was adding the genealogy room, a Culinary Literacy Center, an audio-visual recording studio with podcast capabilities, a 125-person meeting and conference room, Cricut and sewing machines, a digitization lab, a children’s section and a science, technology, engineering and mathematics area.

“It’s a celebration of Youngstown, of the library and its long history, and it really is the culmination of years and years of planning,” Aimee Fifarek, the PLYMC’s chief executive officer and executive director, said.

Fifarek noted that even though much is new, the work also was a throwback in some aspects to the past. For example, two 850-pound brass doors facing Wick Avenue that resemble the original doors were installed, as were two lamp posts, which also have metaphorical value because they emit “light that knowledge brings,” she added.

Fifarek predicted that the excitement and enthusiasm regarding the newly revamped library will have sustainability after the “wow factor” wears off. Specifically, it will continue to give many people an added reason to come to downtown Youngstown; in addition, the staff and programming will “convert visitors to patrons,” she continued.

Among those who plan to be longtime patrons are Veronica Miller of Girard and her two daughters, Rory and Renlee, 2 and 3, respectively.

The family moved to the Mahoning Valley about a year ago from the Pittsburgh area, Miller said. Despite being relatively new to the area, she didn’t take long to become impressed with the library’s offerings.

“I really like the hands-on material. It’s helpful to have a place for them to play outside of their house,” she said, adding she hopes to bring the children at least every Saturday.

For their part, Renlee and Rory wasted no time getting acquainted with the children’s section. They busily used a variety of toy foods to prepare “meals” that consisted of gingerbread cookies, a pizza and a burger to which Rory added “salt” and “pepper.”

Also moved by what he took in was Ryan Silvashy of Canfield, who was drawn to the skylight, which will brighten what some have said was a dark area of the building. Similarly, he expressed joy that more windows were added to enhance the amount of incoming light.

In addition, Silvashy said he was happy to see the numerous services and offerings for children, along with the added meeting rooms and study areas. Gone are the days when a library was merely for checking out and returning books, he added.

“It is so much more than a repository for books,” Silvashy said, adding that he plans to be a regular patron.

Most of the second floor renovations are complete, except in an area that is to receive shelving to store part of the library’s permanent collection materials.

Fifarek noted that the library plans to restore its original hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday as well as 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. She also is hoping the facility will have Sunday hours, she added.