Twenty-seven projects totaling $5, 939,310 were recently awarded Keystone grants. See the list of awarded projects below.
The competitive grant is used to award matching construction and facilities grants to municipalities that sponsor state-aided public libraries. Grants pay up to 50 percent of eligible costs in planning, acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of public libraries. A dollar-for-dollar match is required for grant funds received. 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.
The 2016 grant competition was for a maximum grant award of $500,000 with no minimum. Thirty-five grant applications were received requesting $6,843,818. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, administers the public library portion of this program through a competitive grant process.
| LIBRARY | REQUESTED GRANT | TOTAL PROJECT COST | PROJECT DESCRIPTION |
| Emmaus Public Library | $500,000.00 | $1,055,969.00 | Add wing to house youth/YA collection; ADA restrooms & ramp to new addition. |
| Allentown Public Library
|
$500,000.00 | $2,218,000.00 | Replace electric HVAC system with energy efficient natural gas; minor renovations. |
| Lower Macungie Library | $500,000.00 | $1,629,739.00 | Library expansion creates children’s area; upgrade rest rooms for ADA ; HVAC & LED. |
| Hellertown Area Library | $12,312.50 | $24,625.00 | Replace roof & gutter. Replace & recoat deteriorating stucco on front of library. |
| Schlow Centre Regional Library | $25,000.00 | $50,000.00 | Facilities study to plan for care of 11-year old facility. |
| Shaw Public Library | $32,000.00 | $64,000.00 | Replace roof shingles to prevent leaking; replace old exterior light fixtures with energy-efficient LED lights. |
| Coyle Free Library | $306,900.00 | $627,700.00 | Phase III of renovated library facility adds equipment including self-checkout stations, security gates & tags, and furnishings. |
| Haverford Township Free Library | $500,000.00 | $7,866,600.00 | Renovate / add & reallocate space; ADA compliance. |
| Crozer Library | $50,000.00 | $105,000.00 | Remove/salvage copper roof, install aluminum standing seam roof panels, gutters. |
| HK Furness Library | $51,500.00 | $103,000.00 | ADA compliance with automatic main door opener; HVAC upgrade energy efficient system. |
| Warminster Township Free Library | $101,500.00 | $203,000.00 | Replace 40-year-old HVAC with energy-efficient system. |
| Southampton Free Library | $199,940.47 | $399,880.95 | Redesign spaces; LED lighting; energy efficiency of restrooms; create learning center. |
| Blasco Memorial Library | $100,000.00 | $200,000.00 | Phase II of Master Plan relocates Teen Space, consolidating Youth Services. |
| Indiana Free Library | $500,000.00 | $1,400,000.00 | Rehabilitate Community Center; HVAC, electrical, exterior, roof, and ADA. |
| Ephrata Public Library | $80,212.50 | $160,425.00 | Phase II & III (of 5) to repurpose adjacent library-owned building for partnerships and to expand Library programs & services. |
| Belmont Hills Library | $500,000.00 | $3,045,665.00 | Renovate/expand; ADA restrooms & parking; main entrance automatic doors; efficient HVAC, LED; furniture, shelving & fixtures. |
| Mars Area Public Library | $500,000.00 | $4,581,166.00 | Construct 2-story bldg meeting ADA guidelines; energy-efficient HVAC, windows, lighting. |
| Annie Halenbake Ross Library | $44,445.00 | $88,890.00 | Rehab windows with efficient glass; replace entrance glass doors. Replace lighting with LED. |
| James V. Brown Library | $40,000.00 | $81,650.00 | Remodel to one help desk; reinforce balcony supports for ADA access; rewire electric, LAN, phone. Upgrade carpet, furniture, paint. |
| Carrick Library | $300,000.00 | $3,931,000.00 | Build 4000 sq. ft. addition; ADA compliance; “Passive House” HVAC”; low energy building. |
| Western Allegheny Community Library | $50,000.00 | $100,000.00 | Replace roof; renovate/relocate youth services/middle grade/teen areas, improving flow and adding usable space. |
| Monroeville Public Library | $100,000.00 | $200,108.00 | Replace wheelchair lift with accessible elevator and exterior enclosure. |
| Baldwin Borough Public Library | $500,000.00 | $1,345,122.00 | Renovate municipal bldg into community library; ADA; roof, HVAC, electric, interior. |
| Oakmont Carnegie Library | $43,000.00 | $86,000.00 | Waterproof/restore gables; interior repairs; adjust automatic doors; exterior lighting. |
| Reading Public Library | 75000 | $166,000.00 | Replace 42-year-old HVAC system of the Northeast Branch with efficient gas fired boiler. |
| Kutztown Community Library | $20,000.00 | $45,582.00 | Replace oil HVAC with high efficiency gas furnace; replace AC units with earth-friendly system; point-of-use water in restrooms. |
| Bethel-Tulpehocken Public Library | $307,500.00 | $615,000.00 | Merge Library with community room (on 50 year lease); additional repairs to structure. |