New Grants for New Jersey Libraries Now Available

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Senator Vin Gopal and Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey today announced the opening of applications for the first round of grants under the Library Construction Bond Act.

Approved by voters in 2017, the Act authorized $125 million in state bonds to support public libraries in providing modern and technologically efficient facilities. The grants can be used to fund a variety of improvements, including making library facilities ADA accessible, major renovations and new construction.

“Libraries provide resources for children and are a source of life-long learning for adults,” Gopal (D-Long Branch) said. “We encourage any libraries in our district considering plans to upgrade and modernize their facilities to look into this exciting opportunity.”

“Many of the public libraries in the 11th Legislative District are older buildings. This is an opportunity for towns to upgrade their facilities by improving their infrastructure with upgrades that let them add new technologies, or new heating and cooling systems,” Houghtaling (D-Neptune) said.

“Libraries are cornerstones of learning. They are resources for teachers and small businesses, but they're also essential for helping communities access social services,” said Downey (D-Freehold). "It's our hope that these grants will go a long way toward helping to improve access to these services."

The State Librarian, in consultation with the president of Thomas Edison State University, will administer and provide oversight of all grants awarded under the Library Construction Bond Act.

The 11th District legislators encourage towns and libraries interested in applying for a grant to visit njstatelib.org/NJLibraryConstructionBond for additional information and to obtain an application. Applications will be accepted March 9, 2020 through 4:00 p.m. on April 6, 2020.