Frankfort Library Receives $50K Grant From State

FRANKFORT, IL — Library districts throughout the 19th Senate District will receive over $419,000 in grant funding to help ensure all residents have access to quality resources and programming, Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias announced.

In Frankfort, the Frankfort Public Library will receive $50,135 in grant funding, according to a release.

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

"Libraries offer more than just books – they host exciting programs and play a crucial role in fostering success and learning at every phase of life," said State Senator Michael Hastings, who serves the Frankfort area. "When we invest in our libraries, we are investing in the triumph of our students, adult learners and the entire community."

The grants, awarded throughout Illinois, included 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, a release states.

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, according to a release. Public libraries can use this funding for operational needs, including purchasing materials for their library collections and capital improvements to their facilities.

Equalization Aid funding is awarded under a statutory formula to provide a minimum level of funding when local funding through taxes is too low to meet the service population’s base needs, a release states.

Public Library Construction Grant funding allows libraries to address refurbishing and renovation of existing facilities; assure compliance with accessibility standards; and even build new facilities.

Under the new technology grant initiative, eligible public libraries were determined by review of their local tax base in comparison to the population that is served and also the poverty level of the community, according to a release. Libraries have two years to expend the technology grants.