DEAR EDITOR:

Residents of Poland are urging the trustees of the Mahoning County Public Library to consider the sentimental feelings we have for our library. One has only to look at the extensive list of residents from our community who donated to bring this building to fruition.

Many of the contributions to this effort were given by people in memory of their loved ones. For example, the cupola atop this masterpiece was gifted by the Alexoff family in memory of their mother. The clock tower elevator was donated by the late John MacIntosh in memory of his parents. The fountain commemorative garden was funded by the Charles H. Rumberg family in memory of their daughter/sister Jennifer. Funds for the reading area were given by the Scotford family in memory of their parents, and there are many, many more. The list of donors runs into the hundreds and includes businesses, families, individuals, and even school children. Over one million dollars in private funds were raised toward the library’s construction. Are all of these donations to be forgotten if the building is abandoned as a library?

Our library is part of our history. Original pediments from the previous library were saved and included in the design of the new building. Another remnant of Poland’s rich history, the former Boys Dormitory building, was incorporated into the new library. One can only marvel at the bronze statues of children reading which were created by gifted Poland artist Tom Antonishak and are located at the entrance. This library is definitely a classic.

If the Mahoning Valley Public Library system wants the voters of Poland to continue to support its levies, then the community needs to keep its library in its current location.

LARRY BARTOS

Poland