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Community groups raise $14,000 for sensory room addition to Boardman Library

By Kelcey Norris Mahoning Matters
(left to right) Deborah Liptak, PLYMC Development Director; Aimee Fifarek, PLYMC Director and CEO; Lisa Long, the Thomases Family Endowment, and Alexa Sweeney-Blackann; PLYMC Board of Trustees Development Committee Chair
(left to right) Deborah Liptak, PLYMC Development Director; Aimee Fifarek, PLYMC Director and CEO; Lisa Long, the Thomases Family Endowment, and Alexa Sweeney-Blackann; PLYMC Board of Trustees Development Committee Chair PLYMC

Thanks to many matching funds and donations from several Mahoning Valley organizations, a sensory room is under construction at the Boardman Library.

According to the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, the library received a $50,000 grant to create a dedicated sensory space.

The grant from the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), awarded by the State Library of Ohio, required certain additional matching funds from the community.

PLYMC expressed thanks to the following donors for making the sensory space possible:

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley - $8,000

The Thomases Family Endowment - $4,000

The Boardman Rotary Club - $1,500

The Boardman Community Foundation - $500

What are sensory rooms?

According to edutopia.com, sensory rooms are therapeutic, safe spaces being built in schools, community buildings and organizations nationwide.

The library said the room would be used for quiet story times, and it’ll be available for patrons to utilize if they ever need a sensory break while using the library.

The space will include “approachable play materials that users can see, touch, and explore to help regulate their bodies through calming sensory experiences,” according to PLYMC development director Deborah Liptak.

“We are grateful for the generosity of our community funders, including the Thomases Family Endowment’s support and investment in the Boardman Library Sensory Space,” Liptak said. “We look forward to providing a better Library experience space for our special needs community members.”

PLYMC plan to offer sensory programming and services at more library locations.

More fundraising at PLYMC

Are you looking to help out with another local library initiative?

The Literary Society of PLYMC hosts a yearly fundraising event called Ladies in Little Black Dresses for Literacy, which benefits the Martha Muransky Children’s Literacy Fund.

Attendees bring a book by their favorite author to swap with other participants. They can donate gently used and new children’s books to the organization.

The event is happening at 6 p.m. on June 1 at The Lake Club in Poland.

Tickets for the event cost $60 and include appetizers and one beverage.

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