(Nov. 2014) The board of trustees of the Mid York Library System voted at its last board meeting Sept. 18 to divide $405,096 in New York State Construction Grants among the Mid York central facility and 10 member libraries in Oneida, Herkimer and Madison counties.
Mid York Director Wanda Bruchis said four eligible libraries submitted first-time capital improvement plans and were allocated 75 percent of the amounts they requested. Those libraries, the capital projects, the projected full cost and the amount of the state construction grant allocated are: Dolgeville-Manheim Public Library, roof replacement, $21,514, $16,136; Earlville Free Library, roof replacement, $14,600, $10,950; Jordanville Public Library, repair basement wall, $8,700, $6,525; Woodgate Free Library, replace roof, repair floor joists and building foundation, upgrade alarm system and improve handicap ramp, $55,025, $41,269.
Four libraries were allocated 50 percent of the requested amounts. Those libraries, the capital projects, the projected full cost and the amount of the state construction grant allocated are: Whitestown Dunham Public Library, purchase adjoining property for parking, meeting room and storage and install a new heating, air conditioning ventilation system, $118,200, $59,100; Rome Jervis Public Library, install computerized security gates and build vestibule for DVD/CD storage and dispensing, $95,371, $47,686; Kirkland Town Library, upgrade exterior lighting and security system, $16,296, $8,148; New Woodstock Free Library, purchase adjoining property for library expansion, $38,120, $19,060; Utica Public Library, heating, air conditioning and ventilation control upgrade, $54,600, $27,300.
The balance of the state construction grant, $168,922, was divided equally between Mid York headquarters for parking, security upgrades and new climate control for the computer center and Oneida Public Library for electrical work for the planned new library.
Hannah McClennen, chair of the Mid York Board of Trustees planning committee, said the committee decided to allocate the larger percentage of the state grant to the first-time requests to encourage other member libraries to follow their lead and consider capital improvements in the future.
The state construction grants were included in the 2014-15 state budget that was approved in March by the Assembly and Senate and signed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.
Bruchis said that state representatives told her in recent meetings that they will urge their colleagues to continue the library construction aid in next year’s state budget.