OXFORD – Assemblyman Clifford Crouch announced that three Chenango County libraries – Oxford, Greene and New Berlin – will receive construction grants in 2012.
Each year, public library systems across the state are awarded monies through the program which is funded by a $14 million capital fund appropriation from the previous year’s budget.
“We wouldn’t be able to accomplish and build as much as we do without the aid we receive from these state grants,” said Nancy Wilcox of the Oxford Memorial Library.
The Oxford library will receive $53,493, which Wilcox said will go to renovating the floors, ripping up carpets and cleaning the hardwood beneath.
This is Phase IV in the Oxford library building project which began in 2005. Wilcox said the grant will also go towards improving building access for patrons. Shelving will be adjusted to improve handicap accessibility for patrons in wheelchairs.
Additionally, a new window seat and new lighting will be added to the adult fiction section.
The New Berlin Library will receive $5,650 for minor repairs to the structure and for additional energy maintenance. Library director Darlene LaBrie explained that four years ago, the library went through extensive changes as it adopted a solar energy program.
“These funds will help us maintain that program,” said LaBrie.
The Moore Memorial Library in Greene will receive $107,092 for general building improvement and a energy conservation project. The 108-year-old roof will be re-tiled and restored and inside plaster will be repaired.
“Libraries are an important community resource for people of all ages and public libraries are getting the most usage seen in many years,” wrote Crouch in a press release. “These grants will go a long way to cover reparations that have been put on hold because of budget cuts and the recession. Securing funding for this program was essential to make sure library services were maintained and to keep them efficient and up-to-date.”