LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced $254 million in grants to public libraries in 172 cities across 34 counties to renovate and improve facilities across the state, with Lake County’s four libraries among those receiving awards.
This is the first round of the California State Library’s $439 million Building Forward Library Improvement Grant Program — the largest investment in public library infrastructure in California history.
Lake County’s library system has received approximately $1,099,667 in this round of grants.
The Lakeport Library will receive $633,067; the Middletown Library has been allocated $193,533; Redbud Library, $254,467; and the Upper Lake Library, $18,600.
“Public libraries are the hearts of communities across the state and our hubs of learning, discovery, and oftentimes — safety,” said Newsom. “While states across the nation are banning books, California is awarding $254 million in grants for our historic public libraries — an investment to make books more accessible by repairing and modernizing libraries throughout the state.”
The 234 projects in this initial round of funding under the Building Forward Library Improvement Grant Program range from $14,300 to $10 million and include efforts to make libraries safer and more accessible, including their ability to be cooling centers for underserved communities.
The city of Porterville, whose only library was destroyed in a 2020 fire that took the lives of two firefighters, will receive $7.2 million.
“Libraries are hubs of community activity — they are a safe haven, an escape into the wonders of reading, a place to find a meal when you need one, to create, to vote, to enrich children, to learn a new skill, and so much more,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “Strengthening our libraries’ infrastructure — their ability to safely and effectively meet the needs of the community — is such a critical investment in the community members who rely on them.”
First priority for grants was given to the state’s least-resourced communities and projects that address long-delayed critical life and safety facility needs including seismic safety, heating and air system replacement, building security, and improved Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility.
“There are lots of reasons 24 million Californians have library cards. Local libraries are cornerstones of their communities and critical parts of California’s education system,” said California State Librarian Greg Lucas. “Strengthening public libraries strengthens California and helps make it easier for all Californians to get the information and assistance they need to succeed and thrive.”
More than $1 million awarded to Lake County libraries for improvements; grants are part of $254 million given statewide
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