PHOTO: Books
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announces more than $496,000 in grant funding to improve local library services.
Library districts will receive funding to help ensure all residents have access to quality resources and programming.
Libraries throughout the 58th Senate District, serving over 126,000 people, receive a combined $496,783 in grants.
“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.�
As Secretary of State, Giannoulias also serves as the State Librarian.Â
Local legislators expressed their gratitude for the grants.
“I’m happy to see grant funding for our libraries that can be used to upgrade their technology infrastructure and expand services,� said State Senator Terri Bryant (58th District, Murphysboro). "Libraries provide our residents a place to come to improve their career skills and develop a passion for learning.�
 "I couldn't be more excited about the recent funding our libraries have received. This boost will enable them to expand and improve their services, making a real difference in our communities and providing invaluable support for our students' educational endeavors," said State Representative Dave Severin (116th District, Benton). "Access to exceptional library resources and hi-tech technology is essential for every community."
The grants, awarded throughout Illinois, include annual per capita and equalization aid grant funding, public library construction grants and one-time newly created technology grants to help libraries most in need to upgrade their technology infrastructure.
These are the libraries receiving the funding:
- Chester � $22,618
- Columbia � $16,333
- Coulterville � $39,976
- Cutler � $13,696
- Du Quoin � $21,153
- Central (Evansville) � $1,223
- Evansville � $13,312
- Marissa Area � $4,515
- Sallie Logan (Murphysboro) � $23,033
- Pinckneyville � $20,023
- Red Bud � $5,648
- Sparta � $18,581
- Steelville Area � $6,210
- Tilden � $14,047
- Valmeyer � $3,697
- Morrison-Talbott (Waterloo) � $16,354
- Albion � $2,926
- Benton � $45,939
- Carmi � $19,724
- Christopher � $16,505
- Fairfield � $19,751
- Groff Memorial (Grayville) � $18,434
- McCoy Memorial (McLeansboro) � $16,472
- Mount Carmel � $22,917
- C.E. Brehm Memorial (Mt. Vernon) � $53,776
- Sesser � $37,265
- Wayne City � $1,476
- West Salem � $1,167
Public Library Per Capita Grants are awarded annually to support local public library services.
This year, public libraries received just under $1.50 per person in their service area.
Public libraries can use this funding for operational needs, including purchasing materials for their library collections and capital improvements to their facilities.
