If your library is considering applying for a Keystone Grant for Public Library Facilities in 2019, the Office of Commonwealth Libraries encourages you to attend one of the workshops being offered in January 2019 at various locations around the state.

Ed Lupico, Keystone Advisor at the Bureau of Library Development, will discuss the Keystone program and all parts of the application at each 2-hour session, which includes time for attendees to ask questions.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) Office of Commonwealth Libraries administers this competitive grant program. Reimbursable grants, which pay for up to 50% of eligible project costs, are awarded to improve the physical facilities of state-aided public libraries. There is no minimum request amount and grants may be requested up to $750,000. Awards will be guided by grant award criteria, the applicant’s needs assessment, and funding priorities. The application must be submitted by a municipality which the project library serves.

The grant cycle is expected to open February 1, 2019 when the application will be made available. Completed applications would need to be postmarked no later than April 26, 2019. Awarded contracts are expected to begin October 1, 2019.

Library and Municipal personnel who are involved in the grant process are invited to attend.

Those interested in attending should register as soon as possible for one of the following events:

January 14, 2pm-4pm: Mt. Lebanon Public Library, Pittsburgh (Southwest PA)

January 15, 1pm-3pm: DuBois Public Library, Dubois (Northwest PA)

January 16, 10am-12noon: Annie Halenbake Ross Library, Lock Haven (North Central PA)

January 17, 1pm-3pm: Pittston Memorial Library, Pittston (Northeast PA)

January 23, 10am-12noon: East Shore Area Library, Harrisburg (South Central PA)

January 25, 10am-12noon: Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library, Norristown (Southeast PA)

January 29: Online Webinar: 1pm-2:30pm

January 30: Online Webinar: 10am-11:30am

(If a library is closed due to inclement weather, that day’s workshop will be cancelled.)

Register here

Please direct any questions to Ed Lupico.