Governor Wolf announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Education has awarded Keystone Grants to 27 Pennsylvania libraries – including 5 in Allegheny County – providing more than $5.9 million in funding for libraries from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.
“Pennsylvania’s public libraries are an incredibly valuable resource to communities, a safe haven that provides access to knowledge, information, and even unimagined new worlds, all for nothing more than the swipe of a card,” said Gov. Wolf. “As we make investments in teachers and students, we must also continue to invest in our libraries, as they serve as both a resource and an escape to all patrons, no matter their age, background, or which city or town they call home.”
The Keystone Grants – administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Bureau of Library Development – were established by the General Assembly in 1993 and are funded by a portion of the realty transfer tax. Through the program, grantees can receive up to 50 percent of the funding needed to upgrade or rehabilitate public libraries.
To qualify, libraries and municipalities must jointly apply for the grant. More information can be found at: http://www.statelibrary.pa.
The 2017 Allegheny County recipients of the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Keystone Grants are:
Baldwin Borough Public Library, Baldwin Borough, $500,000
The funds will be used to renovate and maximize the interior space of the first floor of the Leland Center Building to bring it up to code and to accommodate a modern and innovative library; improve accessibility to the building through updates to grading and parking.
Carrick Library, Pittsburgh, $300,000
Carrick Library has outgrown its current footprint, and this expansion will create an additional 4,000 square feet of useable library space, nearly doubling the size of the existing library. The primary goal of the renovation is to remedy the spatial impediments and provide a more welcoming, comfortable library environment.
Monroeville Public Library, Monroeville, $100,000
The existing lift to move people between floors is open, loud and hard to maintain. The lift will be replaced with an enclosed elevator.
Oakmont Carnegie Library, Oakmont Borough, $43,000
The library will repair HVAC system, replace stolen downspouts, caulking and masonry repointing to repair leaks and replace flooring in the basement that has been damaged by leaks.
Western Allegheny Community Library, North Fayette Township, $50,000
Indoor space will be reconfigured to provide more room for youth activities, a dedicated family space will be added to the children’s area, and the flow of patrons will be improved through the library.
