Local libraries among group receiving nearly $250K in grant funding to boost services

The Pennsylvania Department of Education announced that nearly $250,000 in grant funding has been awarded to 26 libraries across the Commonwealth.

The money will go towards supporting and expanding local services and educational programming.

The funding comes from the Library Services and Technology Act Action Grants, which offer up to $10,000 per project to address community priorities and strengthen organizational capacity.

Eligible areas include projects that boost adult and youth services, community engagement, staff training, technology access and educational programming.

Dr. Education Secretary Carrie Rowe emphasized the role of libraries in serving local populations.

“Libraries are the cornerstones of their communities, providing critical resources to patrons,” Rowe said. “This funding will help libraries serve the diverse and unique needs of their local residents by creating innovative educational programming and services.”

Local libraries that will receive funding include:

• Allegheny County Library Association
• Receives $10,000 to provide literacy bags to immigrant and refugee children. Those bags include resources that support English language learning.
• Community Library of the Shenango Valley
• Receives $8,788.46 to increase community connection, early literacy, and physical health within its service area by installing a StoryWalk at Riverwalk Park in the City of Sharon.
• Cranberry Public Library
• Receives $10,000 to develop a collection of print materials targeted for use by both youth and adults in Spanish and Arabic. 
• Greensburg Hempfield Area Library
• Receives $9,510 to expand free digital literacy and workforce readiness instruction for adults.
• Greenville Area Public Library
• Receives $2,723.48 to develop literacy-based kits aligned with children’s books and educational themes to support early literacy, language development, and classroom engagement.
• Mt Lebanon SD
• Receives $9,850 to launch a five-year reading initiative for students in grades three to five across all seven elementary buildings.
• Sewickley Public Library
• Receives $10,000 to expand free access to high-quality early literacy content for children and families in the Quaker Valley area.
•  Sewickley Township Public Library
• Receives $10,000 to expand digital equity, workforce support and technology education opportunities for residents alongside the opening of its new library facility.

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