By Blake Haas
BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Public Library received a significant grant from the State of Illinois to help pay for an expansion project.
On Monday, state officials announced a $5.68 million grant from the Public Library Construction Act Grant contingent on the library receiving more than $15 million in matching funds by the end of the State’s fiscal year.
“Our community is truly fortunate to have been chosen as a recipient of these funds from the State of Illinois,” Library Director Jeanne Hamilton said in a news release. “It really puts the library in a great position going forward. When all is said and done, and the project has reached completion, it is likely that the library will be able to repay the bond at a quicker pace than would have been possible without these grant funds.”
According to a news release, Julian Westerhout, President of the Bloomington Public Library Board of Trustees, has confidence the matching funds will be secured with the approval of bonds for the project.
“The project will improve library services to the community and allow the library to meet the community’s current and emerging needs by incorporating flexible, forward-thinking designs which address population growth, updating the aging facility, and increasing accessibility for individuals of all abilities,” Bloomington Library Director Jeanee Hamilton said.
A new library construction plan includes adding more than 20,000 square feet and renovating 57,394 square feet of existing space.
On Monday, December 13, the Bloomington City Council will vote to accept or reject the proposed 2022 property tax levy, which includes funds for the first year’s repayment of the bond.
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].
