MN library agency accepting proposals for accessibility and construction grants

The State Library Services, a division of the Department of Education, is now accepting grant proposals for the Public Library Accessibility and Construction Matching Grant Program.

The competitive library construction grant program began in 1994 exclusively as a grant to remove architectural barriers in public library buildings. In 2005, the Legislature amended and expanded this legislation. Beginning in fiscal year (FY) 2006, permissible use of the grants includes general improvements and accessibility, renovation or expansion of an existing building for use as a library, or construction of a new library building. The maximum accessibility grant was increased to $200,000 with construction grants capped at $1 million. The 2008 Legislature appropriated $1.5 million for the FY 2009-2010 biennium.

Since 1995, 101 library buildings have benefited from competitive state dollar to local dollar matching accessibility grants totaling $5.9 million; local share has totaled more than $39 million. The actual overall matching ratio amounts to $1 state to $6.62 local.

The deadline for grant proposals to be submitted is Oct. 24 at 4:15 p.m. For more information and an application form, visit the State Library Services web site.

Potential applicants should notify Bruce Pomerantz, library development specialist, as early as possible of their intention to submit a grant proposal. Contact Pomerantz at bruce.pomerantz@state.mn.us or (651) 582-8890.