More than 30 area public libraries and school districts across western Illinois are set to share in more than $600,000 for library services, enhanced programming and construction and security upgrades.
“Libraries are a pillar of education for our young people and present a place of learning and reading enjoyment for the whole community,” said Illinois State Sen. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, in a news release announcing the funding Monday, July 6. “I have consistently called for more library and education funding, and I am proud to see these state dollars go toward a good cause.”
The money for local libraries is part of more than $27 million awarded to over 640 public libraries and 2,500 school libraries statewide through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants, Security and Construction Grants and School Library Grants. The funding will support libraries’ investments in reading materials, technology, literacy programs, infrastructure improvements and security upgrades. School library grants, awarded once every fiscal year, will support student learning and literacy from kindergarten through 12th grade.
In Mr. Halpin’s district, 17 public libraries and 16 school districts received funding, including:
- Bushnell Public Library District – $6,516.
- Robert R. Jones Public Library District – $8,254.
- Colona District Public Library – $11,256.
- East Moline Public Library – $101,920.
- Galesburg Public Library – $73,706.
- Hampton Public Library District – $3,033.
- Knoxville Public Library – $4,932.
- Macomb Public Library District – $64,881.
- Moline Public Library – $73,075.
- Warren County Public Library District – $28,613.
- New Windsor Public Library District – $1,950.
- Western District Library – $8,106.
- Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District – $16,589.
- Rock Island Public Library – $157,650.
- Sherrard Public Library District – $10,594.
- Rock River Library District – $5,746.
- Silvis Public Library – $13,605.
- Bushnell-Prairie City CUSD 170 – $850.
- Carbon Cliff-Barstow District 36 – $850.
- Colona District 190 – $850.
- Galesburg CUSD 205 – $3,182.
- Knoxville CUSD 202 – $850.
- Macomb CUSD 185 – $1,640.
- Monmouth-Roseville CUSD 238 – $1,274.
- Orion Community Unit School District 223 – $850.
- Sherrard CUSD 200 – $1,080.
- United CUSD 304 – $850.
- East Moline School District 37 – $2,174.
- Hampton School District 29 – $850.
- Moline-Coal Valley CUSD 40 – $6,197.
- Rock Island-Milan School District 41 – $5,070.
- Silvis School District 34 – $850.
- United Township HSD 30 – $1,508.
A full list of Illinois public and school libraries receiving grant funding can be found here.
