Correspondent photo / Amanda C. Davis Raquel Scheetz, director of the one-room Greenford Community Library, stands among the books she helped secure for the facility that closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened, with her help, in 2023.

SALEM — Raquel Scheetz’s brain is always “on,” trying to figure out how to get some things done while improving upon others.

The 42-year-old mother of three is the driving force behind the reopening of the tiny, one-room Greenford Community Library, which closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened in October 2023.

Scheetz, a 2001 Austintown Fitch High School graduate who lives in Greenford, studied classic operatic performance at Youngstown State University but said she wasn’t suited for the hours or big-city living required for that career.

She worked a number of years at her mother’s Austintown bakery, Sugar Showcase, and runs a farm with her husband, Brad.

Prior to COVID-19, Scheetz was a patron at the library, which started in 1977. She has no formal training as a librarian but said she couldn’t stand to see it permanently shuttered.

The library was once part of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County system, but the county decided not to reopen it because the low number of patrons dragged down the county’s averages needed to pursue grants, Scheetz said, adding she understands that logic.

Greenford has about 3,400 residents, according to a 2020 census. Before COVID, the library had about 500 books and other items checked out each month, compared with about 11,000 checkouts at the next smallest library, she added.

Right now, the library is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and averages 200 to 300 checkouts each month.

Scheetz said she’s confident she can increase those numbers.

Operations are funded through private donations, and Scheetz has learned to write grants, secure sponsorships and solicit businesses for help.

Last year, the library received a $2,000 reading grant from Dollar General and $1,900 worth of children’s books from the Pilcrow Foundation, which helps rural public libraries across the U.S.

Scheetz said it cost $400 to reopen the library and that all shelves were donated.

“Almost all the books you see here are also donations,” she said, explaining there are about 13,000 on the shelves.

New releases are also available, thanks to a MAC.BID fundraiser that is covering the cost to lease those books. Scheetz said her library often has no wait time when other local libraries have weekslong or monthslong waiting lists for new releases.

Scheetz also has been busy creating events to draw in the community.

She’s put together a calendar that includes crafts, book clubs and a group that meets to share food and the recipes used to create it.

Patrons can also use a computer, check out puzzles, games or a microscope, use a paper / vinyl cutter or take advantage of printing and lamination services.

For now, a neighbor lets Scheetz store books in his garage, but she hopes eventually to have a waterproof shed on the property for extra space.

Scheetz provides library cards for patrons and said there are no fees if books are returned late. If a book is lost, patrons must simply replace it with another book, she said.

Many of the library’s patrons are senior citizens. Scheetz said she’s happy to provide a place they can go during the week.

“Without this building here, those people would just stay in their houses,” she said. “That’s what I do it for.”

Lynn Bennett, of Greenford, frequents the library and is an avid reader, at times having up to nine books on her nightstand.

“I read half the night,” she said.

She appreciates Scheetz because she gets to know patrons and their reading preferences.

“She cares about what you like,” Bennett explained, adding that Scheetz also does a great job cataloging and organizing books.

The library has six volunteers who help operate the 1,200-square-foot library.

Marie Harrigan, 86, of Salem, volunteers to stay active. She retired two years ago as a psychotherapist and owned Canfield Book Store in the early 2000s.

She’s always been a fan of books, but joked she doesn’t like fiction because she grew up with a dad — Richard Platt — who was into facts and was an editor and reporter at The Vindicator.

“I always had to be around books,” she said. “I’m just so glad (Scheetz) reopened the library,” Harrigan said.

Volunteer Lori Sakacs, of Salem, said Scheetz spends every moment she can there, calling her “a force” who will do whatever she can to provide programs and services.

“She is one to rally the community to get what she needs, and she’s worked so hard to get programs started there,” Sakacs said of Scheetz. “She’s all that and more.”

Sakacs, who retired in 2020 after 40 years as a counselor in Youngstown City Schools, said Scheetz finds solutions to every problem.

“She’s done wonders here,” Sakacs said, “and she’s always improving.”

Scheetz, who enjoys gardening, crafting and sewing, said she has ADHD, which she explained is somewhat of a double-edged sword.

On one hand, it contributes to her admitted tendency to overthink things, but she acknowledged it also fosters her drive to succeed.

“I like to make things happen,” she said. “As long as I have the resources, I’m the kind of person who will get it done.”

To suggest a Friday profile, contact Metro Editor Marly Reichert at mreichert@tribtoday.com or Features Editor Ashley Fox at afox@tribtoday.com