Albany, NY – Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay announced that libraries in the 100th Assembly District have been granted a total of more than $210,000 in state aid for library construction projects.

In Sullivan County, Mamatkating Library has been awarded $7,405 for security upgrades, while Western Sullivan Public Library will receive $4,833 for LED lighting upgrades and $5,806 to modernize the restrooms. In Orange County, Thrall Public Library District was awarded $193,750 to restore and resurface the roof. All three grantee libraries are part of the Ramapo-Catskill Library System.

“Here in my district, libraries punch far above their weight in terms of the services they provide and their importance to the community,” Assembly Member Kay said. “They are places where everyone can apply for a job, learn a new skill, or be connected to important community resources, and they provide critical programs for everyone from young children to seniors. I am so pleased that these institutions have been recognized for their importance and will receive the much-needed upgrades they’ve been asking for.”

The funds are part of a $44 million allocation of capital funds for public library construction and broadband infrastructure projects provided in the FY2024-2025 State Budget. New York State Library staff reviewed every application, which were then submitted to the Dormitory Authority of New York (DASNY) for evaluation.

New York’s libraries are part of a long, proud tradition, which means the state's library buildings are aging. Of the more than 1,000 public library buildings in New York State, more than a third were built more than 100 years ago. On the other hand, less than a quarter of our state’s libraries were built in the past four decades — and these are the youngest of our libraries. The financial need is great: a recent survey showed that necessary projects across the state had an estimated combined price tag of more than $1.75 billion.

These beloved community hubs face the sorts of problems that come with historic infrastructure, including energy inefficiency, outdated and inadequate internet and electrical infrastructure, and an inability to accommodate patrons with disabilities. Many libraries do not have enough space to house their growing collections, provide adequate meeting spaces, or maintain public access computers.

In the FY2025-2026 State Budget, the Legislature provided $44 million for projects that will be announced in the Summer of 2026. This support for the State aid for Library Construction program recognizes the continued need for support for libraries statewide to provide essential services to New Yorkers.

“I’m proud to see consistent financial support for libraries throughout the state, and I’m especially grateful for the generous funding for Mamatkating Library, the Thrall Public Library District, and Western Sullivan Public Library,” Assemblymember Kay said. “I will continue to fight for the institutions that make up the backbone of our community, including our wonderful libraries.”