Beardsley Library receives $27K grant

WINSTED – Gov. Ned Lamont and Interim State Librarian Maureen Sullivan recently announced that the state is dedicating $2.6 million of Connecticut’s Coronavirus Relief Funds to support the state’s public libraries as they continue to make health and safety improvements and offer more services to residents amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement. The governor made the announcement at the Raymond Library in East Hartford.

Beardsley Library was awarded a grant for $27,830 to support reopening efforts. At Beardsley, the funds will primarily go towards creating safe spaces within the library to access collections and technology, improving technology infrastructure to keep up with increased demand, and acquiring additional equipment, PPE, and cleaning supplies to keep the library a healthy, safe, and accessible environment to meet the community’s needs, according to a statement.

This funding is in addition to the Lamont administration’s Everybody Learns initiative to increase broadband infrastructure and to create public Wi-Fi hotspots that offer free internet access. Many of these have been placed at libraries across the state, according to the statement.

Others in attendance at the Oct. 27 event were Sarah Morgan, the library director; Marcia Leclerc; Congressman John Larson; Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona; Doug Casey, Executive Director of CEN; and the East Hartford Superintendent of Schools, Nathan Quesnel. Dawn LaValle, Director of the Division of Library Development, and the person who will administer the program, joined Sullivan in representing the State Library.

The governor said the funds will be distributed among 65 libraries across Connecticut based on their size and the number of residents they serve each year, which will allow much of the funding to be allocated to target those that serve low-income urban and rural communities. The funds are anticipated to be largely used to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies, signage, and furniture.

“Libraries offer critical services for the public, including reliable Wi-Fi, access to computers and laptops, supportive learning materials and resources, and librarians who are trained in helping residents access key services,” Lamont said. “Most importantly, libraries provide safe and quiet spaces for people to work and study, which is critical to many people who do not have the environment to do this at home. Especially during this difficult time, libraries and the work of so many generous librarians have played a critical role in supporting K-12 and postsecondary students with remote learning.”

“This investment in our public libraries will enable their leaders and staff to extend and enhance the services and programs that are so valued and important to their constituents and communities,” Sullivan said. “Public libraries have always been places that support education and self-directed learning. They are now a critical community resource for virtual learning.”

Learn more about the Everybody Learns Grants to Public Libraries at libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/ dld/ELgrants