Correspondent photo / Sean Barron The Michael Kusalaba branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County on the West Side was closed last week to install new wiring and make several reconfigurations, including a new section for children and parents, shown here, and to convert the space into a Family Place Library. From left are Pam Brockway, public service manager; Mandy Shina, donor relations manager; Aimee Fifarek, the PLYMC’s executive director and chief executive officer; and Molly Bevan, branch supervisor.

YOUNGSTOWN — The newest branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County has reopened after officials collaboratively oversaw the rearrangement of collections to make the space more conducive to encouraging a greater sense of community and connectivity.

“We moved a lot of shelves, installed some additional wiring, moved our do-it-yourself equipment and shifted the computers,” Aimee Fifarek, the PLYMC’s executive director and chief executive officer, said.

On Friday, Fifarek was outlining the main reconfiguration work at the Michael Kusalaba branch, 2859 Mahoning Ave., on the West Side, for which the building was closed last week.

The project was to position the 12,634-square-foot facility into a Family Place Library, the likes of which have been transformed into community centers for early learning and literacy, parent education and family support. The Kusalaba branch is the first library in the area with such a designation, Fifarek noted.

The effort also is in lockstep with the Centereach, New York-based program, which lists as its mission statement increasing the ability of libraries nationwide to see their full potential and to act as centers for “healthy child and family development, parent and community involvement and lifelong learning beginning at birth.”

“Libraries are not only about books. They are about strengthening families and supporting children from their earliest years,” Fifarek said in a statement. “The Family Place Library model helps us deliver on our mission to serve as a hub for growth, wonder and community enrichment.”

Specifically, the Kusalaba branch project entailed installing new child-friendly play areas, creating a space for a classroom as well as a private office for parents to discuss their children’s needs, improving staff service points, realigning a section that now contains a collection of books and other resources pertaining to parenting and adding new cubicles for picture books and family-friendly kits with materials on topics such as building kindness and empathy.

Despite the changes and additions, nothing has been removed for regular adult patrons, Fifarek said.

“We tried to make it better for nonfamily users to use as well,” she added.

Also in the mix are upcoming programs that will include a parent and youth ambassador from the Early Childhood Resource Center, Molly Bevan, branch supervisor, noted. His appearance will give parents and caregivers an opportunity to inquire about locating local social services, finding resources or seeking guidance regarding benefits and supports, she said.

The program is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Kusalaba branch.

Pam Brockway, public services manager, said that a five-week Family Place Series related to family needs, and including community partners, is to get underway 10:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 15 and run on consecutive Thursdays. The parent and child workshops will, among other things, provide opportunities for families to speak with early childhood and family-support specialists about subjects such as early literacy, speech, music, nutrition and general child development.

Other offerings at the branch include ParentTV, a service that can be accessed with a library card and features three- to six-minute videos on pregnancy, general parenting, play, child development, mental health, nutrition, technology and other related topics.

In addition, the Kusalaba library, formerly the West Side branch, has a text-messaging service designed to provide parenting suggestions, tips and resources based on a child’s age.

The reconfiguration project also is part of the PLYMC’s 2025 annual capital campaign, which runs through Dec. 31. So far, the campaign has about $14,000, with a goal of $15,000, Fifarek noted.

To make a donation, go to the PLYMC’s website, www.libraryvisit.org.