Bizzarro: Nearly $150K awarded to improve local libraries
Two Erie County libraries selected, only 21 selected statewide
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro March 9, 2022 | 11:41 AM
ERIE, March 9 – A competitive grant process saw two Erie County libraries win much-needed money state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, announced today.
“It’s way more than books -- public libraries and their staff have been called second responders,” Bizzarro said. “Every day there are librarians connecting people from all backgrounds with critical services, resources, education and more.”
In Erie County, the Raymond M. Blasco, MD Memorial Library was awarded $117,757.50 to build ADA-accessible restrooms on the second floor and to upgrade the elevator system. The Albion Area Public Library was awarded $29,910 to replace a crumbling ADA-accessible ramp to the library.
“There are almost 500 public libraries in Pennsylvania – only 21 made the cut for funding this year, and two of them are in the Erie County,” Bizzarro said. “That shows how strong the library system is here, and I’m glad to see them get a boost.”
The grants were awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Education, handing out $5.3 million in this round of grants. Grants pay up to 50% of project costs for construction or rehabilitation projects in public library facilities. The program is funded from a portion of the state’s realty transfer tax.