Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan (R,C-Manchester) is proud to announce six library construction grant award recipients in Assembly District 131. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) and the New York State Library approved 212 construction projects for public libraries and public library systems statewide. These projects will be supported by a $44 million capital fund appropriation included in the FY2024-25 State Budget.

The Assembly District 131 library construction grant award recipients include:

• The Seneca Falls Library in Seneca County, which was awarded $38,142.00 in state aid to help create a sound system in the library’s community room and a door badge system for people to enter and exit the building safely;
• The Waterloo Library & Historical Society in Seneca County, which was awarded $17,484.00 in state aid to update the security alarm system to accept digital signals, add a carbon monoxide detector and add additional theatre lighting;
• The Clifton Springs Library in Ontario County, which was awarded $24,611.00 in state aid to install a new HVAC system;
• The Geneva Public Library in Ontario County, which was awarded $51,485.00 in state aid to update the library’s data cabling and building security, including the installation of cameras, fire/intrusion systems and a new perimeter fence;
• The OWWL Library System in Ontario County, which was awarded $60,768.00 in state aid to upgrade building safety, security and energy efficiency; and
• The Mary Wilcox Memorial Library in Broome County, which was awarded $45,000.00 in state aid to create a non-fiction reading room and computer workspaces in the library.

“It is very exciting to see these grant monies allocated to six very deserving public libraries and public library systems in our community,” said Gallahan. “Our libraries are historic spaces that help bring communities together, provide unique reading and learning spaces for people of all ages and stand as fundamental pillars of education in our state. I am eager to see these projects completed so these libraries can continue to provide our Assembly District 131 community with new educational opportunities and equitable access to knowledge across all fields.”