DEAR EDITOR:

The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County has been quite free with their spending: millions on new buildings and refurbishing existing buildings. They passed a levy last fall over the objections of many of us who do not think they need more money. They spent $30 million refurbishing the Main Branch with additions that are unnecessary and duplicate county agencies. The Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley spent $8 million on a 50,000 sf building.

No one questions their spending; the local paper the Youngstown Vindicator does not cover the board meetings and the local tv stations show up when there’s controversy such as the need for a new building to replace the multimillion dollar branch in Poland at a cost of $14 million, repairs would be $8-11 million. Someone should attend a meeting or call a meeting of the administration and ask the tough questions.

Years ago the Vindicator published position titles, names and salaries. They no longer publish this information. They are topheavy in management positions. There are no statistics on the library site for circulation by branch. They hire outside consultants for any project they have in mind. Isn’t that what a board of trustees is supposed to do?

A group formed from Poland Ohio, Citizens for Responsible Spending, tried to get the levy voted down and failed. Tom Zamary notes in part: “The library legal structure as a “body politic” and “non-profit” corporation has created a situation where the minor contributors to the funding of the library have more authority over operations than the County government which provides the overwhelming taxpayer dollars. The library has failed to fully inform the voters on the levy issues for funds and in some cases, evaded campaign financial laws.”

The Board of Trustees has meetings only three times a year: June, September and December. The next meeting is June 12, 4 pm, Canfield Branch.

A Poland Community Feedback Meeting is scheduled for June 24 at 5:30 p.m., Poland Branch Library.

LEE SMITH

Poland