Shelter Island Library Gets $25,000 Construction Grant

will get new windows and improvements to its heating and cooling system this summer.

The library was approved last month for a $25,000 construction grant from the New York State Department of Education toward the $50,000 building improvement project, which includes installing HVAC in the upper and lower levels of the library and replacing a number of 46-year-old windows throughout the building.

Library director Denise DiPaolo said that due to the depressed economy, the Shelter Island Library is getting a record-breaking amount of use.

"A professionally installed HVAC system will provide a comfortable library experience for our patrons and protect all items in our collection from mold and mildew," she said. "It will also help cut down on the high electric bills we had seen with operating five large window air conditioning units which cooled the library during the peak summer months."

The Public Library Construction Grant program is administered by the New York State Library, one of four institutions that comprise the department’s Office of Cultural Education. The New York State Library has awarded $14 million in grants for construction and renovation projects at 177 public library and library system buildings throughout the state this year.

"At a time when libraries statewide are seeing increased use within their respective communities, we are pleased to provide these funds which can be used to enhance institutional capability," State Education Commissioner David Steiner said in a statement. "We must do all that we can to ensure that our public libraries remain viable community centers for all citizens from pre-schoolers to lifelong learners."

For more information contact ddipaolo@shelterislandpubliclibrary.org; 631 749-0042.