Albany, N.Y., June 20—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and Assemblyman Christopher Friend (R,C-Big Flats) announced today that public libraries throughout their legislative districts have been awarded state library construction grants.

The area legislators said that the grants are being awarded through New York’s $14 million Library Construction Grant Program contained in last year’s state budget.

“A public library is a fundamental resource for area families, seniors and countless other community residents. We’re hopeful that these grants will help local libraries better afford and address their renovation needs,” the legislators said in a joint statement.

According to the New York State Library, which administers the grants, a recent survey revealed that public library construction and renovation needs statewide total more than $2.2 billion. Nearly 50% of the over 1,000 public library buildings across New York are over 60 years old. Another 30% are more than three decades old. Many of the state’s local public libraries are unable to accommodate users with disabilities, cannot provide Internet, computer and other electronic technologies to users because of outdated and inadequate electrical wiring, do not have sufficient space to house the library's collection, and lack sufficient space for public access computers.

The construction grants help libraries and library systems make renovations and upgrades, update electrical wiring to accommodate computer technology, renovate facilities to provide wheelchair accessible entrances and become fully accessible to persons with disabilities, and provide community meeting rooms.

O’Mara, Friend and Palmesano announced the following grants to area libraries:

> Big Flats Library (Chemung County Library District), $14,978 for energy efficiency enhancements and the renovation of the parking lot;

> Steele Memorial Library (Chemung County), $90,933 for energy efficiency and conservation improvements;

> Horseheads Free Library (Chemung County), $15,284 for parking lot improvements and energy efficiency upgrades;

> West Elmira Library (Chemung County), $8,148 for the renovation and rehabilitation of the library’s exterior structure and ventilation duct work;

> Avoca Free Library (Steuben County), $11,100 for overall building renovations and to improve patron accessibility;

> Dormann Library (Steuben County), $34,144 to upgrade the library’s interior sprinkler system for preservation and safety purposes;

> Prattsburgh Free Library (Steuben County), $6,731 for renovations to increase utility efficiency and install a dial-in fire alarm system;

> Savona Free Library (Steuben County), $29,680 for accessibility and energy efficiency upgrades, and improved program space;

> Southeast Steuben County Library in Corning (Steuben County), $58,358 to expand and renovate the Conference Room for improved handicapped access, an Inductive Hearing Loop and smart room capabilities;

> Waverly Free Library (Tioga County), $24,634 for increased energy efficiency savings; and

> Modeste Bedient Memorial Library in Branchport (Yates County), $46,500 for expanded library services.