Libraries In Arlington Heights Area Receiving Grants: IL Sec Of State

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Several libraries in the Arlington Heights area are set to receive grant funding intended to help ensure residents have access to quality resources and programming. According to Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias, libraries throughout the 27th Senate District, serving over 173,000 people, are receiving a combined $308,050 in grants.

The grants, awarded throughout Illinois, included annual per capita and equalization aid grant funding, public library construction grants and one-time newly created technology grants to help libraries most in need to upgrade their technology infrastructure. The local libraries receiving grants are:

• Arlington Heights Memorial — $165,348
• Mount Prospect — $84,425
• Prospect Heights — $22,340
• Rolling Meadows — $35,937

According to officials, libraries have two years to expend the technology grants to help fund things, including adding hardware and software, expanding online collections and e-resources, purchasing digital devices and mobile apps, increasing Wi-Fi capacity and internet accessibility, incorporating patron self-checkouts, and assuring ADA compliance for library websites and purchasing adaptive technologies that accommodate service needs for persons with disabilities.