$14 Million Public Library Construction Grant Program

For the third year in a row, the New York State Legislature has provided a special appropriation of $14 million in capital funds for public library construction in the State Budget. (These funds are separate from the annual $800,000 local assistance appropriation for public library construction.)

The application materials for the 2008-09 $14 million construction grant program are now available and include the grant application and instructions, an application checklist, budget forms, a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions, and information on the allocation of funds throughout the state as well as other pertinent documents and information.

Please note that libraries who received a construction grant award in any previous year, either under the $14 million or $800,000 program, are eligible to apply for funding in 2008-09, even if the project for which previous funding was received is not yet complete.  However, a library can not receive funding for the same project more than once.  The project for which funding is being requested in 2008-09 must be separate and distinct from any project(s) previously funded.

Local libraries must work with their library system and submit all application materials to the system. The deadline for receipt of applications is set by each library system. We encourage libraries to contact their system as soon as possible to let the system know if the library plans to apply for a construction grant. The deadline for submission of applications to the State Library is 5:00 p.m., Friday, September 12, 2008.

Libraries may apply for a construction grant that could fund up to 50 percent of a project. The minimum grant award is $2,500 for a minimum total project cost of $5,000. No award will be made for any project with a total cost of less than $5,000. There is no maximum award, but the amounts of the awards will depend on the number of project applications received and the total funding available to the library system.

Eligible project activities and expenditures include acquisition (purchase of a site and an existing building suitable for conversion to library purposes; see 90.12), construction, and renovation or rehabilitation of a facility. Routine maintenance is not fundable.

Other application/project criteria:

• Libraries with multiple buildings may submit more than one application, but only one application per building.
• Approved projects must start within 180 days (formerly 90 days) of approval.
• Projects that are not entirely completed at the time of application to the library system are eligible for funding.

The grant program period is July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2011. Only expenditures made after July 1, 2008, are eligible expenditures for funds awarded as part of this grant. However, expenditures made between January 1 – June 30, 2008, may count as part of the total project cost. Libraries may use local, state, or federal public funds, private funds, or a combination of funds from those sources for the required certification of available funds to pay for the cost of the project, minus the award amount.

Libraries will receive three payments: an initial payment of 50 percent after January 1, 2009, pending final approval of the application if not rendered prior to that date; a second payment of 40 percent after April 1, 2009; and a final payment of 10 percent upon project completion and receipt in the State Library of an approvable completion report. Libraries have until June 30, 2011, to complete their projects.

If you have questions about the construction grant program or application procedure, please contact your public library system.

Member libraries must submit five copies of their project applications and required attachments directly to the public library system by the local deadlines established by the system. Please contact your public library system for more information about local deadlines and the system's application review and evaluation process. Member libraries should not submit applications directly to the State Library.

The deadline for systems to submit their member libraries' applications to the New York State Library/Division of Library Development is 5:00 p.m., Friday, September 12, 2008.

Library systems should contact Grace Kelly, the State Library’s program manager for the Public Library Construction Grants Program, with questions about the $14 million application deadlines, requirements and materials.