State gives money for Albion, Medina library construction projects

File photo by Tom Rivers – With the latest state grant for $137,466, the state has contributed more than $800,000 towards the new public library in Albion.

ALBION – For the third straight year the state will use “Public Library Construction Grants” to help with the new library in Albion.

The new grant program started just in time for Albion to access the funds for the new Hoag Library. Albion used $373,000 in state funds in 2010-11, and was approved for $327,000 in 2011-12.

State Sen. George Maziarz announced today another $137,466 will be coming to Hoag to help with the construction costs. That brings the state’s total contribution to the project at $837,466.

The library has been eligible for the funding for three years now because the construction has spread over than two years with site work, building construction and interior work on the new 14,600-square-foot building, which opened last year on July 7.

The state approved $14 million in matching capital funds state-wide in the 2012-13 budget.

Another Orleans County library was approved for funding. Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina will receive $112,110 towards its roof replacement project.

The three-county NIOGA Library System is based in Lockport. It was approved for $43,482 to accomplish technology upgrades at its computer training center and e-mobile training lab. That will make both facilities ADA-compliant, Maziarz said in a news release today.

Public Library Construction Grants are intended to help libraries with such tasks as accommodating users with disabilities, promoting energy efficiency, facilitating Internet access and rehabilitating old building spaces. Almost half of the public libraries in New York are more than 60 years old and in need of upgrades, Maziarz said.