More Than $450,000 in Grant Funding Will Improve Local Library Services
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 29th Senate District, serving over 188,000 people, are receiving a combined $450,550 in grants.
“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.”
“Our libraries are essential hubs that provide our community with access to information and help them broaden their knowledge,” said State Senator Julie Morrison (29th Senate District—Lake Forest). “By modernizing our libraries, we guarantee that they can adapt to the changing needs of our residents and continue to be indispensable resources for education.”
“Technology and WIFI access are crucially important, and our libraries provide access to residents who may not have it otherwise,” said State Representative Tracy Katz Muhl (57th House District—Northbrook). “These grants will enable our libraries to upgrade their technology infrastructure and expand collections so they can continue to provide customers exceptional service.”
“I’m always excited and encouraged when our libraries receive the additional resources that they truly need to realize their full potential. As community centers of nearly limitless resources, libraries expose people to ideas that challenge notions, provide a safe space to share those ideas, and expand our collective worldview” said State Representative Bob Morgan (58th District—Deerfield). “Libraries are continuously evolving as centers of congregation and learning, and promote equity in access to information through technology that bridges the digital divide. A strong and well-resourced library is a fundamental part of a strong community.”
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.
Deerfield — $28,506
Glencoe — $13,140
Highland Park — $169,811
Highwood — $7,534
Indian Trails — $97,153
Lake Bluff — $53,339
Lake Forest — $28,760
Northbrook — $52,304
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 a 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.