County libraries get grants

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SPRINGFIELD — More than $28,000 was awarded to Bureau County libraries Friday by Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White. The awards were part of almost $12 million awarded to 612 public libraries serving 11.6 million patrons in fiscal year 2010 Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants.

White said he was pleased to be able to award the grants even though lawmakers made significant cuts to the grant program during last year’s legislative session.

“The State of Illinois is facing a multi-billion dollar budget deficit, and cuts were made to the FY 2010 budgets of every Illinois constitutional officer, my office included,” White said. “My original FY10 budget request included an increase in library funding. Unfortunately, the General Assembly's budget process resulted in severe cuts to programs such as the Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grant Program.”

The awards are less than the libraries received even a few years ago. For Fiscal Year 2005, the Princeton library received a per capita grant of $9,368.75, more than $1,700 of what was received this year. The Bureau library received $509.59, more than $90 more than this year. However, the per capita rate of $1.25 per resident is an improvement from the past, when the rate had dropped as low as 85 cents.

Princeton Library Director Grant Lynch said he was “delighted” that Princeton would receive its per capita grant of more than $7,600, although it was only about 80 percent of what was budgeted.

“With the current economic state, I live in fear that libraries, museums and schools will see budget cuts,” he said. “We did, but a smaller amount than we feared.”

Lynch said the funds are included in the library’s budget, and cuts would have been made to accommodate the loss. Cuts will still have to be made, but cutting the $1,700 shortfall is easier than if the full amount had been cut.

Libraries count on Per Capita Grants for expenses such as paying for material, personnel, equipment, electronic access, telecommunications and technology. Equalization Aid Grants are important because they help public libraries which have a low library tax base, and help ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

Lynch called the decision to make the grants “smart budgeting” and said he was glad to see Illinois support its intellectual and cultural institutions.

“Because it’s the intellectual and cultural institutions that see cuts first in times of crisis,” he said.

Local libraries received:

Buda - Mason Memorial Public Library - $604.49

Bureau - Leepertown Township Public Library - $416.61

DePue - Selby Township Library District - $2,541.52

Ladd - Ladd Public Library District - $1,719.53

LaMoille - LaMoille-Clarion Public Library District - $2,005.44

Neponset - Neponset Public Library - $801.56

Ohio - Ohio Public Library District - $1,065.01

Princeton - Princeton Public Library - $7,659.27

Sheffield - Sheffield Public Library - $965.96

Spring Valley - Richard A. Mautino Memorial Library - $5,511.90

Tiskilwa - Tiskilwa Public Library - $1,600.06

Walnut - Walnut Public Library District - $1,859.42

Wyanet - Raymond A Sapp Memorial Township Library - $1,376.44

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