Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre (D-Babylon) announced that the Copiague Memorial Public Library has been awarded a New York State library grant to help complete much-needed renovations, including upgrading the restrooms to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and installing energy efficient lighting. Jean-Pierre helped secure the funding as part of the 2016-17 state budget.

“Copiague Memorial Public Library is a huge asset to our community,” Jean-Pierre said. “By ensuring the building is ADA compliant and energy efficient, we can make sure everyone is able to take advantage of all the programs and services the library has to offer while reducing costs for local taxpayers.”

The State Aid for Library Construction grant will provide $63,500 to the Copiague Memorial Public Library for the upgrades. In addition, Jean-Pierre helped secure $24 million for library construction projects across the state that will be announced in spring 2018.

Libraries across New York State are in dire need of improvements and upgrades – more than half of libraries are over 60 years old, and another third are over 30 years old. A recent survey shows that New York’s public libraries have a need for projects totaling $1.7 billion. The library grant program helps address those issues by providing funding to help local libraries and library systems expand their facilities, update electrical wiring to accommodate computer technology and meet standards of energy efficiency, among others.