CyberDriveIllinois.com
 

ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  • December 20, 2002
  • CONTACT: Randy Nehrt
  • CONTACT: Pat McGuckin
 

White Awards Construction Grants to 12 Libraries

SPRINGFIELD –– Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White today awarded fiscal year 2003 Live and Learn Construction Grants to 12 public libraries to help modernize and update their facilities.

White said the funds are awarded through the Secretary of State's Live and Learn program.

White identified this year's recipients as:

  • Centralia Regional Library District, $25,000. The District has purchased a modular classroom unit to house the Irvington Branch Library, and funds will be used to make the unit accessible to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
  • DuQuoin Public Library, $8,489 to replace existing carpeting.
  • Elizabeth Township Public Library, $7,548 for cleaning and repainting the outside of the library, new carpeting, new computer tables, shades, and new shelves.
  • Gillespie Public Library, $25,000 to replace old heating and air conditioning systems.
  • Ira C. Reed Library in LaFayette, $4,935 for carpeting, painting and creation of a children's room.
  • McCoy Memorial Library in McLeansboro, $25,000 for window preservation.
  • Savanna Public Library District, $25,000 to replace a boiler with a new furnace, installation of a central air conditioning system, and window replacement.
  • Collinsville Memorial Public Library, $36,330 to help upgrade restrooms and water fountains to meet compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • Deer Creek District Library, $2,500 to install automatic doors.
  • Itasca Community Library, $38,378 to help construct a staircase and new handicapped accessible washrooms.
  • Ladd Public Library District, $2,000 for new carpeting.
  • Thornton Public Library, $28,760 to replace washrooms.

"Our libraries are an important part of the infrastructure of our communities," White said. "Many of our libraries in Illinois are original Carnegie libraries that 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.

"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. As a result, our libraries are better able to assist all of their patrons."