White Awards More Than $4 Million in Library Construction Grants

ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 02, 2000
CONTACT: Dave Druker
or

CONTACT: Randy Nehrt

White Awards More Than $4 Million in Library Construction Grants

SPRINGFIELD –– Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White announced today that 33 Illinois libraries will share more than $4 million in construction grants to maintain and modify or add new library facilities. The grants are available through the Live & Learn program that annually provides state funds to public library building projects for new construction, expansion and renovation of library facilities.

"With the assistance of these grants, libraries throughout the state will take a giant stride in providing the additional space, services, technology and accessibility necessary to meet the needs of all our library users," said White.

Libraries in Algonquin, Biggsville, Chicago, Galatia and Sherman will receive $250,000 grants for construction of new buildings. In Mason City, a $200,000 grant to build a new library will be matched by a local donor. In addition, major grants will be used for remodeling projects and accessibility at libraries in Beecher, Dwight, Fairfield, Fox River Grove, Princeville, Rock Island and Winnebago.

Live & Learn grants up to $250,000 require matching funds from the community.

Grants up to $50,000, awarded to libraries in disadvantaged areas, require no matching funds. These mini-grants, from $5,000 to $50,000, can be used for new furnishings, interior and exterior painting, computer wiring or modifying existing structures for access for persons with disabilities.

This year, applications for construction grants totaled more than $9 million from libraries throughout the state. The applications were reviewed in a competitive award process. The 33 libraries awarded grants will receive 45 percent of the funds at contract signings and another 45 percent when construction is begun and required documentation is submitted to the State Library. Final funding is granted upon completion of the project and submission of an audit.

FY2000 Library Construction

City Library Amount Algonquin Algonquin Area Public Library District $250,000.00 Amboy Pankhurst Memorial Library $50,000.00 Beecher Beecher Public Library District $250,000.00 Benton Benton Public Library District $49,455.00 Biggsville Henderson County Public Library District $250,000.00 Calumet City Calumet City Public Library $84,548.00 Chicago Chicago Public Library Austin-Irving Branch $200,000.00 Chicago Ridge Chicago Ridge Public Library $125,000.00 Dwight Prairie Creek Public Library District $250,000.00 Evansville Evansville Public Library $49,980.00 Fairfield Fairfield Public Library $250,000.00 Flora Flora Public Library $48,143.00 Forreston Forreston Public Library $193,998.00 Fox River Grove Fox River Grove Public Library District $250,000.00 Galatia Galatia Public Library District $150,000.00 Harvey Harvey Public Library District $125,000.00 Herrick Herrick Township Public Library $5,000.00 Kankakee Limestone Township Library $250,000.00 Lombard Helen M Plum Memorial Library $150,000.00 Mason City Mason City Public Library District $200,000.00 Mound City Mound City Public Library $48,038.00 Oak Park Oak Park Public Library $150,000.00 Oneida Oneida Greig Memorial Library $6,282.00 Princeville Lillie M. Evans Library District $250,000.00 Riverdale Riverdale Public Library District $14,910.00 Rock Island Rock Island Public Library $250,000.00 Rockford Northern Illinois Library System $250,000.00 Royalton Royalton Public Library District $50,000.00 Sheldon Sheldon Public Library District $66,000.00 Sherman Sherman Public Library District $250,000.00 West Salem West Salem Public Library $50,000.00 Windsor Windsor Storm Memorial Public Library District $50,000.00 Winnebago Winnebago Public Library District $250,000.00 Total 33 $4,866,354.00