Wolf Administration Invests $3.25 Million to Strengthen Libraries
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today announced that 19 public libraries in 12 counties have been awarded $3.25 million in Keystone Grants to use toward improving physical facilities.
“Public libraries today provide far more services to their communities beyond providing access to books, computers and research,” said Glenn Miller, Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Libraries. “Libraries also offer patrons spaces to hold community discussions and classrooms to learn new skills. The Keystone Library grants will enable libraries to improve their physical facilities so they can continue to serve their communities.”
Keystone grants are competitive grants funded through the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. Grants of up to $750,000 may be used for planning, acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of public libraries, and must be matched dollar-for-dollar. Examples of fundable projects include, but are not limited to: ADA upgrades, new roof, replacement windows, energy efficient upgrades to HVAC systems, facility expansion and new construction.
Grant recipients include:
| County | Municipality | Project Library | Amount Awarded | Project Description |
| Allegheny | Borough of Brentwood | Brentwood Library | $61,750.00 | Replace roof with efficient solution. |
| Allegheny | Municipality of Mt. Lebanon | Mt. Lebanon Public Library | $215,164.06 | Replace HVAC, replace carpet, add security access controls to interior and exterior doors. |
| Allegheny | City of Pittsburgh | Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped | $750,000.00 | Renovate 11,000 sf of public/staff spaces on 1st floor; reconfigure for accessibility, replace outdated systems; exterior renovations include relocating main entrance. |
| Beaver | City of Aliquippa | B.F. Jones Memorial Library | $39,911.00 | Replace boiler with efficient system. |
| Bucks | County of Bucks | Bucks County Free Library: Levittown Library | $87,735.00 | Replace deteriorated windows with energy efficient models. |
| Bucks | Morrisville Borough | Morrisville Free Library | $52,500.00 | Replace slate roof on 108-year-old building. |
| Bucks | Township of Northampton | Free Library of Northampton Township | $225,000.00 | Replace automatic entrance doors, replace carpet, repair cupola windows and atrium, upgrade electrical wiring, replace 3 HVAC units. |
| Bucks | Borough of Riegelsville | Riegelsville Public Library | $80,735.00 | Replace original slate roof and single-pane windows; repair masonry cracks and minor interior water damage. |
| Butler | Clinton Township | South Butler Community Library | $14,425.00 | Replace HVAC systems with energy efficient furnace/air conditioner. Replace fluorescents with LED. |
| Chester | Borough of Oxford | Oxford Library Company | $10,392.75 | Replace water heater, gas boiler, air handler in original library building. |
| Chester | Tredyffrin Township | Tredyffrin Township Libraries | $50,000.00 | Replace 1st floor lighting with LED |
| Cumberland | Borough of New Cumberland | New Cumberland Public Library | $241,681.50 | Replace roof and gutters; replace damaged flooring. |
| Forest | Forest County | Marienville Area Library | $282,997.00 | Replace library building with efficient, accessible structure with double the square footage. |
| Lancaster | Mount Joy Borough | Milanof-Schock Library | $26,577.50 | Replace rubber roof, gutters, interior lights. |
| Luzerne | Dallas Borough | Back Mountain Memorial Library | $129,845.00 | Renovate meeting room to make it more accessible and provide additional space. |
| Luzerne | Luzerne County | Wyoming Free Library | $27,500.00 | Install automatic doors; replace HVAC with energy efficient system; replace lighting. |
| Northumberland | City of Shamokin | Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library | $127,644.00 | Install chair lift to make 2nd floor accessible; replace windows; repair ceiling; replace boiler and lighting for energy efficiency. |
| Union | County of Union | Public Library for Union County | $750,000.00 | Construct 1146 sf addition for children’s wing with programming space and family restroom; reconfigure other public spaces; update HVAC and lighting. |
| Venango | City of Franklin | Oil Region Library Association: Franklin Public Library | $75,672.00 | Replace three roofs. |
For more information about Pennsylvania’s education policies and programs please visit the Department of Education’s website at www.education.pa.gov or follow PDE on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.