ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 1, 2001 CONTACT: Dave Druker CONTACT: Randy Nehrt

White Awards $3.2 Million In Library Construction Grants

SPRINGFIELD ––Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White today awarded $3.2 million in library construction grants to allow 21 communities to build new libraries or modernize and update their current facilities.

     White said the funds are awarded through the Secretary of State's Live and Learn program. Grants may be used to build new facilities, make additions, remodel current buildings, or convert buildings not currently being used as a library into a library building.

     "Our libraries are an essential component of our overall community infrastructure," White said. "Many of our libraries in Illinois are now in their second century of operation. The Live and Learn Construction Grant Program is designed specifically to help libraries throughout Illinois modernize and bring their buildings up to date. As a result, our libraries are better able to assist all of their patrons, and provide the outstanding service patrons demand."

     Since its inception in 1993, the Live and Learn Construction Grant Program has helped hundreds of Illinois libraries make critical improvements they could not have paid for on their own. Many libraries over the years have used these funds to come into compliance with state and federal requirements to provide library access to the disabled. Other grants specifically serve Illinois' smallest and least economically able libraries.

     "As State Librarian I am pleased to be able to provide financial assistance to our libraries," White said. "I am proud to work with all of our libraries to help the citizens of Illinois obtain the information they seek to remain educated, entertained and enlightened."

LIVE AND LEARN CONSTRUCTION GRANTS

Anna Stinson Memorial Library District $50,000 Remodeling	Ashland Ashland Public Library District $250,000 Construction of new building in Pleasant Plains
Bushnell Bushnell Public Library District $12,751 New Carpeting	Clifton Central Citizens Library District $250,000 Addition
Elmwood Park Elmwood Park Library $250,000 Construction of new building	Gilman Gilman Area District Library $250,000 Construction of new building
Herrin Herrin City Library $250,000 Addition	Hoopeston Hoopeston Public Library District $250,000 Addition
Joliet Joliet Public Library $250,000 Construction of new building	Marshall Marshall Public Library $50,000 Remodeling
McLean Mt. Hope-Funks Grove Townships Public Library District Mounds Mounds Public Library $50,000 Relocating to new building	Mt. Carmel Mt. Carmel Public Library $50,000 Remodeling
Mt. Morris Mt. Morris Public Library $250,000 Addition	New Baden New Baden Public Library $50,000 Remodeling
Newton Newton Public Library and Museum $50,000 ADA compliance	Ramsey Ramsey Public Library $50,000 ADA compliance
Schaumburg Schaumburg Township District Library $250,000 Construction of new building in Hoffman Estates	Sheffield Sheffield Public Library $50,000 Remodeling
Steger Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library District $250,000 Addition	Zeigler Zeigler Public Library $50,000 Conversion of new structure $250,000 Construction of new building