New Rochelle, NY – The members of the New York State Assembly and State Senate who represent the City of New Rochelle celebrated the news that New Rochelle Public Library had received two Library Construction Grants to support their ongoing renovation and construction projects.

“The State Library Construction Program has played a key role in helping fund construction projects for New Rochelle and many other Westchester libraries,” said Assemblyman Steve Otis, who is a member of the Assembly Libraries Committee. “Added funding to this state-wide program has been a key priority for the Assembly and the Senate. With the Governor’s support, the state is able to reduce the local cost for funding important library projects.”

“Our public libraries are central community hubs for our neighborhoods, and critical for promoting a lifelong love of learning,” said Assemblymember Amy Paulin. “These renovation grants to the New Rochelle Public Library will go a long way to promote accessibility for seniors and the disabled or promoting energy efficiency, making this beloved institution even more response to the needs of our residents and the demands of the 21st century.”

“The New Rochelle Public Library serves a vital role in the community for people of all ages,” said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “From ESL classes and internet access, to storytime for toddlers and small business seminars, the library services are a critical tool for expanding opportunities and broadening horizons for residents, families, and seniors. I am so pleased the legislature provided state funding to support the local library’s infrastructure investments that will help them continue to meet the needs of the New Rochelle community.”

“I am thrilled that the legislature allocated funding to support local libraries' investments in their infrastructure. These funds will allow the New Rochelle Public Library to modernize its main library space and create efficiencies in the Huguenot Children Library,” said Senator Shelley Mayer, Chair of the Senate Education Committee. “Libraries are essential public spaces in our communities, and I am so pleased to support their efforts to modernize and adapt to the changing needs of their communities."

Library Construction Grants are jointly administered by the New York State Library and the New York State Education Department. In the FY2018/2019 State Budget, a $34 million capital fund appropriation was established to serve the construction and renovation needs of the public libraries and public library systems throughout New York State. State Aid for Library Construction helps local libraries and library systems to build new libraries, create additions, update electrical wiring and broadband access to accommodate computer technology, meet standards of energy efficiency, renovate facilities to provide full accessibility to library users with disabilities, and provide meeting rooms to accommodate community needs.

New Rochelle Public Library was awarded two grants under the program:

• $140,591 for the renovation of the second floor space of the main library branch at 1 Library Plaza
• $8,625 to replace the furnace at the Huguenot Children’s Library on North Avenue

“The funds from the New York State Construction Grant program allow us to transform our spaces to best suit the needs of our community,” said New Rochelle Public Library Director Tom Geoffino. “The plan to renovate the 2nd Floor of our library is an opportunity to upgrade and re-purpose our space in order to continue to best meet the needs of our patrons. This effort will allow us to improve our Teen Room, install badly needed climate control temperature control into our Local History Room, reconfigure our Help Center social service resource room, and allow for the establishment of an upgraded Spanish Language space and the creation of a teen tutoring/general conference room.”