Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund Public Library Report - July 2016

Introduction

Act 50 of 1993 established the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, administers the public library portion of this program through a competitive grant process. The competitive grant is used to award matching planning, acquisition, construction and rehabilitation grants to municipalities that sponsor state-aided public libraries. 

Grants are awarded to municipalities for up to 50 percent of eligible costs for public libraries facilities projects. A dollar-for-dollar match is required for each project awarded grant funds. By providing funds to public libraries to make critical repairs, renovate existing space or to build new public library buildings, the General Assembly has ensured better facilities to provide vital library services to Pennsylvania citizens. 

Act 61 of 2011 requires PDE to submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual report of the projects and services provided by the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. This report, which pertains to the period July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, meets that mandate. 

This Keystone Grant cycle initiated in 2014 is still in process, and will terminate October 31, 2016. More than half of the projects have concluded and these are noted in the report. Many of the libraries have reported that their library improvements have greatly enhanced library services for patrons and staff. 

The 2016 Keystone cycle began with the Letter of Intent. Letters to Proceed were issued in mid- June and applications are due in October, 2016. We expect a large number of applicants for this round.

2014 Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund Projects 

In 2014, the Office of Commonwealth Libraries received 40 applications from municipalities on behalf of their public libraries. All grant applications were reviewed by a team of evaluators and approval for funding was given to 35 library projects for a total of $6,664,072.

Summary of 2014-Initiated Projects

Grant Recipient: Adams Township (Butler County)
Project: Mars Area Public Library.  Project is complete.
Granted $9,100 to hire a consultant for strategic planning. The goal is to develop a comprehensive Facilities plan that will address challenges associated with significant population growth in the service area.
Total project cost: $18,200
Amount requested: $9,100
Matching funds: $9,100
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: City of Aliquippa (Beaver County)
Project: BF Jones Memorial Library
Granted $100,000 to replace 26 year-old roof, perform masonry and window repairs to prevent water damage to library interior.
Total project cost: $201,000
Amount requested: $100,000
Matching funds: $101,000
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: City of Bethlehem (Northampton County)
Project: Bethlehem Area Public Library.  Project is complete.
Granted $500,000 to complete Phase III of its Room to Grow project by building a new Children's Center on the Main Library's second floor to improve services to children and families. The project entails removing asbestos, replacing current flooring and ceiling, installing energy efficient heating and air conditioning, rewiring existing lighting, adding three ADA- approved bathrooms and creating a children's program/activity area.
Total project cost: $1,293,764
Amount requested: $500,000
Matching funds: $793,764
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: County of Bucks (Bucks County)
Project: Bucks County Free Library
Granted $430,324 for Penwood Branch infrastructure improvements to include: removal and replacement of vintage 1970s ceiling tile, insulation, and electrical wiring; upgrade of four restrooms to meet ADA standards; installation of new entryway door on parking lot side and closure of entryway door on street side. Install an early learning center in a section of the children's area.
Total project cost: $902,848
Amount requested: $430,324
Matching funds: $472,524
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Carnegie Borough (Allegheny County)
Project: Andrew Carnegie Free Library/Music Hall.  Project is complete.
Granted $180,401 to upgrade lighting, restore plasterwork and install safety upgrades such as a sprinkler system, fire alarm and emergency lighting.
Total project cost: $361,203
Amount requested: $180,401
Matching funds: $180,402
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Township of Cheltenham (Montgomery County)
Project: Elkins Park Free Library
Granted $40,000 to renovate two public restrooms to make them fully ADA compliant and add one more family restroom.
Total project cost: $80,000
Amount requested: $40,000
Matching fund: $40,000
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Township of Concord (Delaware County)
Project: Rachel Kohl Community Library
Granted $68,342 to replace windows, upgrade thermostats, install security locks.
Total project cost: $68,342
Amount requested: $68,342
Matching fund: $68,342
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Dillsburg Borough (York County)
Project: Dillsburg Area Public Library.  Project is complete.
Granted $500,000 to acquire the Holy Spirit Hospital Medical/Office Building and property in Dillsburg as the new site for the Dillsburg Area Public Library.
Total project cost: $1,000,000
Amount requested: $500,000
Matching funds: $500,000
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: City of DuBois (Clearfield County)
Project: DuBois Public Library.  Project is complete.
Granted $125,000 to upgrade the library to meet ADA standards. The rehabilitation will include an elevator to improve access between floors. In addition, the entries will be equipped with handicapped accessible doors, and the bathrooms will be reformatted to meet ADA requirements.
Total project cost: $250,000
Amount requested: $125,000
Matching funds: $125,000
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: City of Farrell (Mercer County)
Project: Stey-Nevant Public Library.  Project is complete.
Granted $27,656 to install energy efficient lighting throughout the building, and replace the rear entrance door of the library.
Total project cost: $55,312
Amount requested: $27,656
Matching funds: $27,656
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Borough of Folcroft (Delaware County)
Project: Folcroft Public Library
Granted $25,000 to improve interior and exterior lighting via high efficiency LED lights.
Total project cost: $50,000
Amount requested: $25,000
Matching funds: $25,000
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Borough of Greenville (Mercer County)
Project: Greenville Area Public Library Association.  Project is complete. 
Granted $500,000 for a renovation and expansion project that will add 1,539 square feet of meeting space, increase the children's library to 1,600 square feet, add infrastructure for technology and make both levels of the building handicapped accessible by installing an elevator and ADA restrooms and an outdoor ramp.  Replace existing lighting with LED lighting.
Total project cost: $1,152,881
Amount requested: $500,000
Matching funds: $652,881
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Lackawanna County (Lackawanna County)
Project: Lackawanna County Library System.  Project is complete.
Granted $95,935 to replace the roof and install a new air conditioning unit at the Lackawanna County Children's Library.
Total project cost: $191,870
Amount requested: $95,935
Matching funds: $95,935 
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016 

Grant Recipient: City of Latrobe (Westmoreland County)
Project: Adams Memorial Library
Granted $37,350 to replace the library roof that is 60 years old.
Total project cost: $74,700
Amount requested: $37,350
Matching funds: $37,350
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Lebanon City (Lebanon County)
Project: Lebanon Community Library.  Project is complete.
Granted $24,650 for rehabilitation of the library building by repair and replacement of Dryvit over the entire building.
Total project cost: $49,300
Amount requested: $24,650
Matching funds: $24,650
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Township of Lower Merion (Montgomery County)
Project: Lower Merion Library System
Granted $500,000 to renovate the Gladwyne Free Library with ADA accessibility as its primary focus, including the addition of an ADA-compliant glass-enclosed elevator, an ADA-compliant restroom on the main floor, and two ADA-compliant parking spaces near an expanded entryway. Additional improvements consist of a new pedestrian walkway and a designated young adult area on the main floor.
Total project cost: $1,810,335
Amount requested: $500,000
Matching funds: $1,310,335
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Lower Moreland Township (Montgomery County) 
Project: Huntingdon Valley Library.  Project is complete.
Granted $33,900 to replace a failing HVAC system and replace it with a more energy efficient model.
Total project cost: $67,800
Amount requested: $33,900
Matching funds: $33,900
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Lower Saucon Township (Northampton County)
Project: Hellertown Area Library.  Project is complete.
Granted $117,000 to renovate and improve the interior library space to accommodate the increase in library patrons.  Project to include: two new study rooms, a renovated computer lab, new circulation desks, increasing the square footage of the children's area, new paint, carpeting and electrical work throughout.
Total project cost: $234,000
Amount requested: $117,000
Matching funds: $117,000
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Borough of Monaca (Beaver County)
Project: Monaca Public Library
Granted $150,000 to relocate current library to recently acquired building in downtown Monaca area being developed into a community center. The project will include the installation of an elevator to make the library (to be located on 2nd floor) ADA compliant. Also included in the renovation are: HVAC units, LED lighting upgrades, installation of electrical/cable/internet fiber optics and energy efficient restrooms.
Total project cost: $350,000
Amount requested: $150,000
Matching funds: $200,000
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016 

Grant Recipient: Borough of New Brighton (Beaver County)
Project: New Brighton Public Library.  Project is complete.
Granted $160,000 to build a three-wall extension of the current building. The addition of 2,000 square feet will house a community meeting room, ADA-compliant men's and women's restrooms and an ADA-compliant front door. The new entrance will allow the community room to be used after hours, and extra room in the stacks will be used to ensure handicap accessibility to all materials.
Total project cost: $326,000
Amount requested: $160,000
Matching funds: $166,000
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: New Hope Borough (Bucks County)
Project: The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury.  Project is complete.
Granted $72,185 to complete interior renovations to its 150 year-old building to include: upgrades to the electrical and HVAC systems, installing new lighting fixtures on the main floor, window repairs, painting and installing a new customer service desk.
Total project cost: $144,371
Amount requested: $72,185
Matching funds: $72,185
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Borough of Norwood (Delaware County)
Project: Norwood Public Library
Granted $26,100 to replace: roof, interior ceiling, lighting (for better efficiency and effectiveness) and carpet.  Install three interior security cameras.
Total project cost: $52,200
Amount requested: $26,100
Matching funds: $26,100
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016 

Grant Recipient: City of Philadelphia (Philadelphia County)
Project: Free Library of Philadelphia
Granted $500,000 to make ADA-compliant renovations to Logan Library in North Philadelphia and the Lovett Memorial Library in East Mt. Airy. Renovations to Logan include: a new hydraulic elevator and family toilet room as well as an outdoor ramp. Renovations to Lovett consist of: 2,952 square feet of additions featuring a children's addition, new ADA-compliant entry vestibule, and a small staff circulation area adjacent to the main entry. Within the children's addition, there will be a hydraulic elevator, two toilet rooms and children's programming space.
Total project cost: $1,486,246
Amount requested: $500,000
Matching funds: $986,246
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: City of Pittsburgh (Allegheny County)
Project: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Knoxville.  Project is complete.
Granted $500,000 for full building renovation (interior and exterior). Renovation will bring CLP-Knoxville into ADA compliance with the addition of an elevator and removal of accessibility barriers throughout the facility.
Total project cost: $3,000,000
Amount requested: $500,000
Matching funds: $2,500,000
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Borough of Pottstown (Montgomery County)
Project: Pottstown Regional Public Library
Granted $300,000 to perform rehabilitation with a focus on accessibility, energy efficiency, safety and service to the public. Components of the project include: Redesigned and repaired front entrance to address accessibility issues and resolve water issues and structural deterioration. There will also be a reconfiguration of the existing space for better management of programs and improved services to the children, families, adults and disabled.  Lighting, electric, cabling, phone and security systems will be upgraded to meet current standards.
Total project cost: $639,368
Amount requested: $ 300,000
Matching funds: $339,368
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Radnor Township (Delaware County)
Project: Memorial Library of Radnor Township
Granted $500,000 to replace the HVAC system, upgrade four existing bathrooms to meet ADA requirements; add a family bathroom on the main level that will accommodate the handicapped as well as families; add an elevator to link the lower and main levels.
Total project cost: $1,248,025
Amount requested: $500,000
Matching funds: $748,025
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016 (4/1/17 per extension).

Grant Recipient: Ridley Township (Delaware County)
Project: Ridley Township Public Library
Granted $500,000 for construction of a new building for Ridley Township Public Library. Library will increase its usable space from 7,200 to 13,535 square feet. New construction will create a single story structure that will be more efficient to staff and public and will meet ADA guidelines.
Total project cost: $4,145,406
Amount requested: $ 500,000
Matching funds: $3,645,406
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: City of Sharon (Mercer County)
Project: Community Library of the Shenango Valley.  Project is complete.
Granted $53,150 for restroom alterations and handicap push button/automatic door opener at the entrance to the library.
Total project cost: $106,300
Amount requested: $53,150
Matching funds: $53,150
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Union County (Union County)
Project: Herr Memorial Library.  Project is complete.
Granted $250,000 to renovate and build an addition to the existing library facility. The project will renovate existing and construct additional space which would assist the library in better serving the community. Major project components include the addition of an elevator to access all floors, a new universally accessible entrance, a dedicated space for teens and a new meeting room.
Total project cost: $700,000
Amount requested: $250,000
Matching funds: $450,000
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Township of Warminster (Bucks County)
Project: Warminster Township Free Library
Granted $77,500 for restoration of the library roof and replacement of interior ceiling tile.
Total project cost: $155,000
Amount requested: $77,500
Matching funds: $77,500
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Warren County (Warren County)
Project: Warren Library Association
Granted $94,166 to re-roof entire facility and replace defunct air conditioning unit.
Total project cost: $188,332
Amount requested: $94,166
Matching funds: $94,166
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Borough of West Chester (Chester County)
Project: West Chester Public Library. Project is complete.
Granted $8,000 to install an outdoor ADA chairlift.
Total project cost: $19,250
Amount requested: $8,000
Matching funds: $11,250
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: City of Wilkes-Barre (Luzerne County)
Project: Osterhout Free Library
Granted $104,240 to upgrade the HVAC system to improve conditions for both library users and the collection, as well as enhance energy efficiency.
Total project cost: $208,480
Amount requested: $104,240
Matching funds: $104,240
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Winfield Township (Butler County)
Project: South Butler Community Library
Granted $35,643 to replace roof and install commercial gutters.
Total project cost: $71,286
Amount requested: $35,643
Matching funds: $35,643
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Grant Recipient: Borough of Zelienople (Butler County)
Project: Zelienople Area Public Library
Granted $18,430 to perform upgrades for energy efficient lighting.
Total project cost: $36,867
Amount requested: $18,430
Matching funds: $18,437
Contract expiration date: 10/31/2016

Summary of Reported Totals

The following is a summary of the cumulative totals for the 2014 Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund grant awards, initiated in 2014 and contained within this report:

Total Project Costs:  $20,806,627
Total Grant Amounts Requested by 2014 Awardees:  $6,664,072
Total Grant Funds Committed:  $6,664,072
Total Matching Funds:  $14,142,555​