Assemblywoman Amy Paulin is pleased to announce that her bill (A.113A) to enable more public libraries to utilize the state constructions grant program has passed the Assembly.

“Current matching requirements for construction grants are unnecessarily onerous for communities with limited resources,” explained Assemblywoman Paulin. “This bill will encourage economically disadvantaged communities to engage in library construction projects.”

Currently, localities are eligible for library construction grants from the state with a 50/50 matching requirement. In other words, the locality must have adequate resources to cover 50 percent of the cost of the construction project for which they are receiving a grant.

In economically disadvantaged areas, this matching requirement is a serious impediment to participation in the grant program. This bill will allow localities in high-needs areas to receive grants with a 75 percent match from the state.

“This bill will level the playing field for all libraries to access state construction grant funds,” said Executive Director of the New York Library Association Michael Borges. “The library community greatly appreciates the tremendous efforts of Assemblywoman Paulin in getting this bill passed and looks forward to the bill passing the Senate as well.”

In addition, the bill amends the law to allow localities to use the grant program to purchase vacant land on which to build new library facilities.