SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is awarding more than $1 million in new grants to assist public libraries in underserved communities, including several here in Central Illinois, with much needed technology enhancements.
Secretary of State and Librarian Alexi Giannoulias said Monday that 88 libraries are receiving a grant – with an amount of either $27,500 or $12,500 – depending on the size of the population they serve.
Libraries in Central Illinois being awarded grant money are receiving $12,500 each. They include: Creve Coeur Public Library, Elmwood’s Morrison & Mary Wiley Library, Henry Public Library, Marquette Heights Public Library, and Minonk’s Public Library.
“Libraries play a significant role in our communities, providing a place for every Illinoisan to connect, learn and explore,” Giannoulias said. “We have a responsibility to ensure that all libraries, regardless of their community’s location or wealth, have the resources to meet the needs of residents and expand their offerings, particularly when it comes to technology.”
To qualify, the libraries must have a low tax base in relation to the population of their service area.
The libraries can use the grants to help fund new hardware and software, expanding online collections and e-resources, purchasing digital devices and mobile apps, increasing Wi-Fi capacity and internet accessibility, assuring ADA compliance for library websites and purchasing adaptive technologies that accommodate service needs for persons with disabilities, and incorporating patron self-checkouts.
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