New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) today announced that East Hampton Library, John Jermain Memorial Library, Rogers Memorial Library and Shelter Island Public Library are recipients of $152,500 in New York State Public Library Construction Grants.

Grant recipients include:

East Hampton Library in East Hampton ($10,000) – Fire sprinklers.

John Jermain Memorial Library in Sag Harbor ($50,000) – Technology, energy efficiency, and ADA and safety/code compliance projects.

Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton ($42,500) – New roof.

Shelter Island Public Library on Shelter Island ($50,000) – Safety, handicap accessibility and energy efficiency projects.

The New York State Education Department/New York State Library approved 182 construction awards to public libraries and public library systems throughout New York State. These awards are supported by a $14 million capital fund appropriation in the 2014 State Budget for construction and renovation of public libraries and public library systems in New York State.

New York’s public libraries are in urgent need of renovation, upgrading, and expansion. A recent survey of New York’s public libraries showed a documented need for construction and renovation projects totaling more than $2.2 billion. More than 48% of the over 1,000 public library buildings in communities across New York are over 60 years old. Another 30% are more than three decades old. Many of New York’s local public libraries are unable to accommodate users with disabilities, cannot provide Internet and computer and other electronic technologies to users because of outdated and inadequate electrical wiring, and do not have sufficient space to house the library’s expanding collection, address the need for adequate meeting room, or provide for public access computers. In addition, many have outdated and inefficient heating/air conditioning and lighting systems that are costly to maintain and hazardous to the environment.

State Aid for Library Construction help local libraries and library systems to build new libraries, create additions, update electrical wiring 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.