Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Announces $345,000 in Grants to 34 Libraries to Enhance Services and Improve Access for Local Communities

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Gov. Tom Corbett today announced that 34 public, school and academic libraries across the state will share $345,430 in grant funding to enhance services and improve access to materials to local communities.

Funding for this competitive grant program is provided through the federal Library Services and Technology Act, which is overseen by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Office of Commonwealth Libraries.

"Libraries are important learning hubs in our communities and this funding will support the development of new resources and services that strengthen the capacity of our libraries to meet the needs of patrons," Corbett said.

"The First Lady and I believe that libraries are an important part of the fabric of our local communities. We are grateful to the employees who work tirelessly to ensure that citizens have continued access to the vast amount of information and resources housed in community libraries across Pennsylvania," Corbett said.

These funds will be used to support collections in schools and innovative projects, such as "CreateSpace" at the Middletown Free Library, Delaware County, which will offer hands-on experiences with science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics to school-age children and teens.

Libraries across the state were invited to apply for grants in six categories: content creation, digitization, K-12 collection development, Moving PA Forward, technology hardware, and Try It projects.

A total of 96 applications requesting $628,101 were received and considered for this competitive grant.

For additional information about the Library Services and Technology Act grant program, visit the Department of Education's website at www.education.state.pa.us and click on "Grants and Subsidies" in the left side navigation menu and then select "Library Services and Technology Act."

Media contact: Tim Eller, 717-783-9802

Editor's note: Direct link to the Department of Education's Library Services and Technology Act" webpage: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/library_services___technology_act/8738

Below is the list of grantees by name, county and award amount.

Altoona Area Public Library, Blair County, $20,274

Bethlehem Area Public Library, Northampton County, $5,000

Bucks County Free Library, Bucks County, $28,920

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, $30,000

Central Columbia Middle School – Central Columbia School District, Columbia County, $5,000

Central Columbia High School – Central Columbia School District, Columbia County, $5,000

Central Pennsylvania Libraries, Centre County, $5,000

Centre County Library and Historical Museum, Centre County, $5,000

Chester County Library – Henrietta Hankin Branch, Chester County, $5,000

Chester Springs Library, Chester County, $4,393

Coatesville Area Public Library, Chester County, $5,000

Cooper-Siegel Community Library, Allegheny County, $5,000

Dauphin County Library System, Dauphin County, $5,000

Delaware County Community College, Delaware County, $5,000

Easttown Library and Information Center, Chester County, $5,000

Francis A. March Elementary School – Easton Area School District, Northampton County, $5,000

Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, Philadelphia, $30,000

Garnet Valley School District, Delaware County, $5,000

Hopewell Area School District, Beaver County, $5,000

Jefferson County Library System, Jefferson County, $5,000

Kutztown Community Library, Berks County, $5,000

La Roche College, Allegheny County, $4,000

Lancaster Public Library, Lancaster County, $30,000

Lehigh University, Northampton County, $20,420

Library Company of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, $17,753

Middletown Free Library, Delaware County, $29,964

Montgomery County Norristown Public Library, Montgomery County, $4,900

Muhlenberg Community Library, Berks County, $5,000

New Castle Public Library, Lawrence County, $16,806

Osterhout Free Library, Luzerne County, $5,000

Parkland Community Library, Lehigh County, $5,000

Tyrone-Snyder Township Public Library, Blair County, $3,000

Upper Dublin Public Library, Montgomery County, $5,000

York County Library System, York County, $5,000

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor