Assemblyman Joe Giglio (R,I,C-Gowanda) today announced five area libraries will receive public library construction grants as part of a one-time allocation of $14 million in capital funds provided by the New York State Legislature in the 2006-2007 State Budget.

“New York’s public libraries are in urgent need of renovation and upgrading,” said Giglio, the former Ranking Minority member of the Assembly Libraries and Education Technology Committee.

Over $330,000 will go to Bolivar Free Library, Scio Memorial Library, Blount Library, Randolph Free Library, and Ellicottville Library in Allegany and Cattaraugus counties. The money will be used for maintenance and renovation projects.

A recent survey showed a documented need for public library construction and renovation projects totaling $1.7 billion. Of the more than 1,000 public libraries across New York state, more than 40% are over 60 years old. Another 30% are more than three decades old.

“Libraries are an important resource for our children and their education,” said Giglio. “It is essential that our communities have functioning libraries with new books and updated technology so that citizens have access to the important benefits they provide.

“These grants are an important part of restoring a vital public resource and I will continue to push for increased funding for libraries so that they may continue to serve the public as effectively and efficiently as possible,” Giglio added.

The announcement comes one month after the David A. Howe and Allegany public libraries were awarded nearly $170,000 under the same program.

All seven libraries are part of Giglio’s 149th Assembly District.