Mar. 09, 2017
HARRISBURG - Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Berks) today announced that Lower Macungie Library has been awarded a $500,000 Keystone Grant through the Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries, to fund the expansion of the current library space to create a separate children’s area, office space, meeting rooms and storage.
“I was more than happy to support the library in its quest for this state grant,” said Mackenzie. “In today’s tight budgets, libraries are often left with few resources, yet more and more people are using libraries again and discovering the many programs and services they offer in addition to book and audio lending. Here in Lower Macungie, since the library was built in 2000, the community has grown by nearly 60 percent with an increasing number of patrons using the library and its facilities. This funding is sorely needed in order for the library to keep up with patron needs.”
The library expansion would allow for a defined space for children that would be independent from the rest of library, so as not to disturb other visitors. A family restroom would be added, along with renovating a portion of the existing library to provide a multipurpose room for programs, meetings or quiet space throughout the day.
The grant comes from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, which was established by an act of the General Assembly in 1993. The Department of Education, through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Bureau of Library Development, administers the public library portion of this program which is funded by a portion of the realty transfer tax. Grants pay up to 50 percent of eligible costs in planning, acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of public libraries.
Representative Ryan Mackenzie
134th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
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