YOUNGSTOWN — Amid tension and turmoil over one of its branches, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County continues its daily operations across the county, and this week celebrated some positive news, too.

The library released the registration numbers for its Summer Discovery reading program, which show a considerable year-over-year increase.

Registrations for the annual program total 4,101 as of June 9 — a 37% increase from the 2,983 registrations as of June 9, 2025.

Erin Phemester, chief experience officer at PLYMC, said the program has been operating in some form for decades, and the library began calling it by its current name sometime in the 2010s. Like many public programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, though, it took a hit and participation dropped off.

“I would say the program has been running this way since about 2023, and I think we’ve been growing steadily each year since 2020, approaching prepandemic numbers,” she said.

Phemester said average annual participation before 2020 was about 6,000, and 2025 saw participation at about 5,505. She said the library is hopeful this year’s numbers will reach the pre-COVID benchmark for the first time.

While the news release touts an increase in registrations, the library counts every resident who participates in the program via paper or online reading trackers. Residents who complete 45 straight days of reading from May 26 to July 31 qualify for the finishing prize — a book they get to keep.

Phemester said the prize is one of the big changes they’ve made to the program since 2020.

While the reading challenge window opened on May 26, the library kicked off the 2026 program on May 30 with a celebration at Boardman Park that saw more than 300 people show up to register, make crafts, sign out books from the pop-up library, and play lawn games provided by PLYMC’s Library of Things.

“Our Summer Discovery program is one of the most exciting ways we bring our community together around reading and learning. We’re thrilled to see such a strong start this year, with more individuals, families, and groups joining in.” Phemester said. “Reading is a lifelong skill that supports personal growth, wellbeing, and success at every stage of life.”

She said the library added a new incentive this year as well — a challenge to registrants to visit every one of the county’s branches, where they can obtain a unique button to attach to the Summer Discovery bag they receive when they sign up for the program.

The library noted that the most significant increase is the 319% bump in group registrations. Those include day camps, preschools, and other children’s programs that require reading at least once a day on the days they gather. Those increased from 211 in 2025 to 885 in 2026.

“We’re also seeing more adults sign up as they realize that this program is not just for kids, it’s for everyone,” she said.

The news release notes the library saw a 19% increase in its adult program since last year.

“This community shows up to the library. It’s incredible to see friends of all ages participating in this impactful way,” said PLYMC Chief Stakeholder Relations Officer Zak Kozberg.

In her executive report to the Board of Trustees on Thursday, Executive Director and CEO Aimee Fifarek noted that the statewide summer reading theme for the year is “Unearth A Story.” The theme aligns with this year’s America250 celebration.

The program is largely supported by the library’s biggest annual fundraising event, which is Ladies in Little Black Dresses for Literacy.

Fifarek’s report states that the annual event at Poland’s Lake Club brought in more than $22,500 from more than 330 attendees, including businesses, community members and library supporters.

The evening of shopping, raffles and fundraising welcomed nine local vendors and was supported by 34 local sponsors. Sponsorship alone generated more than $14,100 and Fifarek reported that more than 75% of the sponsors were first-timers.

She noted that five in-kind sponsors contributed goods and services valued at $8,400 to reach the total donation amount.

In addition to the event, the library also is auctioning off a Louis Vuitton purse, donated by board member Alexa Sweeney Blackburn. The ongoing raffle will sell 400 tickets, and the drawing will be July 31. Those funds also will support Summer Discovery.

OTHER PARTICIPATION

Fifarek’s report also highlighted some of the other ways the community is engaging with the library.

Frontline reports from staff at the various branches, collected from February through May, provided insight into the programs and activities county residents seem to value the most.

“Staff described deepening school and early literacy partnerships, including class visits, literacy nights, preschool family events, and regular branch-based engagement that helped children and families build lasting habits around reading and library use,” Fifarek wrote.

She said staff at multiple library locations reported that senior-focused health, exercise and social programs also remained among the most favored programs, along with cultural, local history and community heritage offerings.

The report also noted an increased use in meeting room spaces (1,965) at the various branches from March 2025 to March 2026, and Main Library study rooms also saw a 38% increase. The community continues to make good use of the library’s specialized spaces, as well. Fifarek’s report states that the Event Space, Culinary Literacy Center, Sensory Room, and Newport’s Health and Wellness room are all in high demand.

Meanwhile, community partnerships included a half-dozen paid Event Space rentals with more than 225 attendees, two farmers markets, five homeschool groups, a People’s Law Program, and more than nine occasions when meeting rooms provided space for students’ online statewide testing.

Kozberg said the report and the success of Summer Discovery show off just a portion of what PLYMC offers the county.

“People from across Mahoning County and beyond visit our library to explore, learn and discover new information. We help them learn, share and grow. You can find British mysteries from the 19th century on our shelves or our digital collection, or learn how to make sushi in our Culinary Learning Center. If you’re looking for it, you can find it at the PLYMC,” he said. “If one of our branches was in a shipping container, I guarantee our staff would still provide exemplary services and unbelievable programming.”