June 10th, 2024 – The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is awarding $2 million in grants to 113 libraries due to a new grant funded by taxpayers.
Communities must be eligible for equalization aid grant funding as a result of a low tax base and a high poverty rate to qualify for tax funding.
“As the world and technology evolves, libraries must transform as well so they can deliver programming and services that meet the needs of their customers and communities,” said Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.
Giannoulias’ office said the grants can be used to fund multiple things such as expanding online collections and e-resources, purchasing adaptive technologies that accommodate service needs for persons with disabilities, or incorporating patron self-checkout.
The eligible libraries can receive an amount of $27,500 or $12,500 depending on the size of the population they serve. Decatur’s Public Library is eligible to receive $27,500.
Libraries must file plans for use of grant funds by June 14 and projects can start as early as June 28. Libraries will have two years to spend the grant money.
For more information, click HERE.
By: Ahsaan Spence
