Grant Funding Announced to Improve Local Library Services

 

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Library districts are receiving grant funding to help ensure all residents have access to quality resources and programming, Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias announced.

Libraries throughout the 4th Senate District, serving over 111,000 people, are receiving a combined $325,551 in grants — after eligibility for new technology grant funding was announced earlier this summer.

“Libraries throughout the state must have the resources and financial support they need to provide high-quality materials and programming to Illinois residents,” Giannoulias said. “Libraries serve as centers for lifelong learning and are critical to providing opportunities for children and adults to enrich their lives.”

“One of the best things we can do for our residents is invest in education,” said State Senator Kimberly Lightford (4th District- Maywood). “Libraries provide education opportunities for residents of all ages, whether it's learning to read, continuing to develop career skills or learning a new hobby.”

“I am excited for our libraries to receive funding to help serve our residents and continue to provide them with exceptional library materials, programming and community engagement,” said Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch (7th District- Hillside). “Investing in our libraries means investing in our residents and their pursuits of knowledge and information.”

“Maintaining a strong public library system is an important part of providing educational resources and materials,” said State Representative La Shawn Ford (8th District-Chicago). “These grant funds will help our libraries provide more technology opportunities and enriching programming for our residents.”

The grants, awarded throughout Illinois, included annual per capita and equalization aid grant funding, public library construction grants and one-time newly created technology grants to help libraries most in need to upgrade their technology infrastructure.

  • Bellwood — $77,901

  • Berkeley — $7,926

  • Broadview - $11,877

  • Forest Park — $21,293

  • Hillside — $12,355

  • La Grange — $24,236

  • La Grange Park - $20,059

  • Maywood — $112,498

  • Oak Brook — $12,122

  • Westchester — $25,084

Public Library Per Capita Grants are awarded annually to support local public library services.  This year, public libraries received just under $1.50 per person in their service area. Public libraries can use this funding for operational needs, including purchasing materials for their library collections and capital improvements to their facilities.

Equalization Aid funding is awarded under a statutory formula to provide a minimum level of funding when local funding through taxes is too low to meet the service population’s base needs. Public Library Construction Grant funding allows libraries to address refurbishing and renovation of existing facilities; assure compliance with accessibility standards; and even build new facilities.

Under the new technology grant initiative, eligible public libraries were determined by review of their local tax base in comparison to the population that is served and also the poverty level of the community. Libraries have two years to expend the technology grants to help fund things such as adding hardware and software, expanding online collections and e-resources, purchasing digital devices and mobile apps, increasing Wi-Fi capacity and internet accessibility, incorporating patron self-checkouts, and assuring ADA compliance for library websites and purchasing adaptive technologies that accommodate service needs for persons with disabilities.

 
Andrea Garcia