Two Chesco libraries awarded grants for upgrades

The Oxford Library and the Tredyffrin Township Libraries were awarded more than $60,000 in total state funding for vital infrastructure and building upgrades, state Senator Andy Dinniman said.

“Libraries are central to our communities as places for learning, growth, refuge and the ability to improve and enlighten oneself in a warm, safe environment where all the knowledge is free for the borrowing,” Dinniman, who serves as minority chair of the Senate Education Committee, said. “These grants will help ensure that our libraries continue to meet the growing needs of the Tredyffrin and Oxford communities.”

The Keystone Grants for Public Libraries are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Bureau of Library Development. The Chester County awardees are as follows:

•$50,000 for the Tredyffrin Township Libraries to replace first-floor lighting with LED.

•$10,392 for the Oxford Public Library to replace the water heater, gas boiler and air handler in the original library building.

The Tredyffrin and Oxford Library projects come as part of $3.25 million in total grant funding awarded to 19 public libraries in 12 counties across the Commonwealth.

The competitive grants are funded through the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, established by act of the General Assembly in 1993. The public library portion of this program is funded from a portion of realty transfer taxes.

Grants of up to 50 percent of eligible costs (or $750,000) may be used for planning, acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of public libraries, and must be matched dollar-for-dollar. Matching funds may include cash and in-kind contributions, federal funds, and other state funds. Examples of fundable projects include, but are not limited to: ADA upgrades, new roof, replacement windows, energy-efficient upgrades to HVAC systems, facility expansion and new construction.