LOCAL LIBRARIES BENEFIT from funding change
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By Carmen Ensinger
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias led a legislative effort to change the Library Equalization Aid Grant formula, increasing the eligibility from 17 libraries throughout the state serving 77,000 residents to 108 public libraries serving more than 700,000 residents across the state while freeing up additional funds.
Thanks to the new funding formula, libraries in Greenfield, Roodhouse, Carrollton and Bluffs now qualify for grant funding through the program.
Greenfield will receive $4,334.70 to serve a service population of 1,059; Roodhouse will receive $11,862.69 to serve a service population of 1,578; Carrollton will receive $2,306.69 to serve a service population of 2,485 and Bluffs will receive $3,811.26 to serve a service population of 618.
“While the federal government seeks to scrap programs and slash critical funding for libraries nationwide, Illinois is investing in our residents and communities,” Giannoulias said in a press release. “As a result, more underserved and rural libraries will have access to new funding, quality library materials and essential services. Now more than ever, libraries serve as pillars of our communities, and it is essential they have the financial support and resources to enable them to thrive.”
The Equalization Aid Grants began in the 1960’s to support libraries that failed to meet an adequate funding threshold because of low tax bases, which means fewer tax dollars are available to support them and they have less money to buy materials and make needed repairs to their buildings.
Giannoulias’ effort approved by the Illinois General Assembly raised the base minimum for funding from $7.50 per person in a library service population to $17.50 per person, dramatically increasing funding for libraries in the most underserved communities.
This funding allows libraries to implement needed physical or technological upgrades, purchase new learning materials and provide community programming.
To be eligible for these grants, libraries must certify that they are compliant with the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, which ensures reading materials are not removed or restricted due to partisan or personal disapproval. Libraries may also issue a statement prohibiting the practice of banning books. Currently, all 108 eligible libraries comply.
