Keystone Grant Applications for Public Libraries Opens | STAGING Compendium

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, I am very pleased to announce that the Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL) is now accepting applications for its 2020 Keystone Grants for Public Libraries program.

The Keystone grant program provides funds to sponsoring municipalities for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs to plan, acquire, construct or rehabilitate public libraries as outlined in the program’s general guidelines.  Examples of fundable projects include, but are not limited to ADA upgrades, a new roof, replacement windows, energy-efficient upgrades to HVAC systems, new elevators, facility expansion, and new construction.

To be eligible, the sponsoring municipality and the board of the state-aided library must submit an application that is developed cooperatively by both entities and signed by both governing bodies. A competitive grant process is used to evaluate and score applications based upon criteria listed in the grant materials.

The maximum Keystone grant award is $750,000 and requires a dollar-for-dollar local match. Applicants must show matching funds on hand at the time of the application. There is no minimum amount that may be requested.

These grants are funded through the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.

Application Deadline

Applicants must submit an application to OCL that is postmarked on or before April 10, 2020. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

OCL expects to notify applicants in August whether they have been awarded a grant. The grant performance period for projects is expected to be from October 1, 2020 through March 31, 2022.

More Information

The Keystone Grant Guidelines and Keystone Grant Application for 2020 are available on OCL’s Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund grant website.

For questions about the Keystone Grants for Public Libraries process, send an email to RA-Keystone@pa.gov or call OCL’s Keystone Program Coordinator Ed Lupico at 717-783-5747.

Glenn

 

Glenn R. Miller | Deputy Secretary & Commissioner for Libraries
Pennsylvania Department of Education | Office of Commonwealth Libraries
333 Market St. | Harrisburg, PA  17101-2210
Phone: 717-783-2466 | www.statelibrary.pa.gov
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This communication is issued on the Deputy Secretary’s behalf by Jonelle Darr, Executive Assistant (jodarr@pa.gov; 717-783-5725).