Assemblyman Joe Giglio (R,I,C-Gowanda) today announced that four local libraries are beneficiaries of $14 million in funding included in the 2007-2008 State Budget. The Andover Free, David A. Howe, and Friendship Free libraries in Allegany County and the Memorial Library of Little Valley in Cattaraugus County will receive funding to offset costs of various reconstruction and renovation projects.

“Libraries are an essential resource to our communities,” said Giglio. “This funding will go a long way to ensure that Andover Free, Friendship Free, David A. Howe, and the Memorial Library of Little Valley are able to continue to meet the needs of our residents.”

Andover Free Library will receive $25,400 to install an electric lift in the building and to construct both a new sidewalk leading to new doorways to the lift and a new ADA-compliant bathroom. While the Friendship Free library is the beneficiary of $31,000 for the installation of an interior lift for accessibility and construction of new ADA-compliant bathrooms. The David A. Howe Library will use a grant of $142,942 for the acquisition of a .65-acre lot, which includes a 40-spot parking lot and a 4,096-square-foot building that will be used for library offices and conference rooms.

The Memorial Library of Little Valley received $75,000 to help finance the construction of a 1,872-square-foot addition and to replace existing lighting fixtures.

The one-time allocation of $14 million in capital funds toward public library construction grants was provided to renovate and upgrade weakening infrastructure found throughout the state’s public libraries. A recent survey determined there is $2.1 billion in construction and renovation projects currently needed throughout the state. Many of New York’s local public libraries are not handicapped accessible, lack the space to accommodate the library’s collections and utilize outdated technology.