Grants help QCA libraries with resources and programming

Area library districts are receiving grants to make sure all residents have access to quality resources and programming, said Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias.

Libraries around the 36th Senate District are receiving a combined $376,767 in grants. These libraries serve over 216,000 people.

“Libraries throughout the state must have the resources and financial support they need to provide high-quality materials and programming to Illinois residents,” said Giannoulias. “Libraries serve as centers for lifelong learning and are critical to providing opportunities for children and adults to enrich their lives.”

“I’m thrilled about these grants for our local libraries and residents,” said State Senator Mike Halpin (36th District—Rock Island). “I can’t wait to see how these grants will boost our libraries’ technology infrastructure and make them even more accessible to our community.”

“For some residents, community libraries are a safe haven and the place they access vital resources, including internet access to search for jobs or register their kids for school,” said State Representative Gregg Johnson (72nd District—Rock Island). “These grants will allow our local libraries to expand the invaluable work they do every day to ensure that our communities can access the educational and cultural resources they need to thrive.”

The grants included annual per capita grant funding, public library construction grants and one-time technology grants to help libraries that are in dire need of upgrading their technology infrastructure.

These QCA libraries received funding from the grant:

• Bushnell — $5,692
• Colona — $9,832
• Robert R. Jones (Coal Valley) – $7,209
• East Moline — $31,740
• Galesburg — $72,127
• Hampton — $2,649
• Knoxville — $4,307
• Macomb — $49,850
• Milan-Blackhawk (Rock Island) — $14,490
• Moline — $63,832
• New Windsor — $1,703
• Rock Island — $55,105
• Rock River (Silvis) — $5,019
• Sherrard — $9,254
• Silvis – $11,884
• Warren County (Monmouth) — $24,994
• Western District (Orion)— $7,080

Public Library Per Capita Grants are awarded every year to support local public library services. This year, public libraries received about $1.50 per person in their service area. Public libraries can use this funding for operational needs, such as buying materials for their library collections and capital improvements to their facilities. The funding allows libraries to refurbish and renovate existing facilities, assure compliance with accessibility standards and build new facilities.

Libraries have two years to use the technology grants for expenses like 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, assuring ADA compliance for library websites and buying adaptive technologies that accommodate service needs for persons with disabilities.

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