Dupage Policy Journal

More Than $308,000 in Grant Funding Will Improve Local Library Services

House District 48 – 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 24th Senate District, serving over 207,000 people, are receiving a combined $308,126 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.”

“Libraries bring communities together and I am thrilled that these grants are coming to the 24th Senate District,” said State Senator Seth Lewis (24th District-Bartlett). “When we invest in books and technology at our libraries, we are providing a springboard to knowledge and success for families and individuals. I appreciate the Secretary of State’s willingness to continually bring meaningful financial support to our libraries.”

“It’s great to see additional investments being made into our public libraries to support access to information,” said State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro (48th District—Hanover Park). “These grants will help our libraries expand their technology services and general collections.”

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 upgrade their technology infrastructure.

Bloomingdale — $33,237

Carol Stream — $59,183

Elk Grove — $32,974

Itasca — $14,171

Roselle — $33,774

Warrenville — $20,932

Wheaton — $80,145

Winfield — $14,604

Wood Dale — $19,106

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.

Equalization Aid funding is awarded under a statutory formula 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 existing facilities; assure compliance with accessibility standards; or build new facilities.

Under the new technology grant initiative eligible public libraries were determined by review of their local tax base compared with the population served and poverty level of the community.

Libraries have two years to expend the technology grants on adding hardware/software; expanding online collections/e-resources; purchasing digital devices/mobile apps; increasing Wi-Fi capacity/internet accessibility; incorporating patron self-checkouts; assuring ADA compliance for websites; or purchasing adaptive technologies for persons with disabilities.