State Grant to Somers, John C. Hart Libraries

Seventeen local libraries are the beneficiaries of $80,000 in discretionary “bullet aid” funding.

“Literacy is perhaps the most beautiful gift you can give,” State Senator Terrence Murphy said, announcing the grants. “Benjamin Franklin said ‘either write something worth reading, or do something worth writing,’ and I hope today we’ve done something worthwhile that can help everyone in the community from children, teens, adults and seniors benefit from the programs in their local library.”

Earlier this year, Murphy announced more than $25,000 in construction grants for local public libraries in the 40th Senate District. The Lewisboro Library, Brewster Public Library and the Beekman Library in Hopewell Junction have all received state grants to upgrade their individual facilities.

Funding from these grants will be used for program support, an emergency generator, computer equipment like 3D printers and other library functions. The libraries that will benefit include:

Putnam County

• Mahopac Public Library. $10,000
• Brewster Public Library. $7,500
• Reed Memorial Library. $5,000
• Patterson Library. $2,500

Westchester County

• John C. Hart Memorial Library. $7,500
• Chappaqua School District Library. $5,000
• Hendrick Hudson Free Library. $5,000
• Lewisboro Library. $5,000
• Mount Kisco Public Library. $5,000
• Mount Pleasant Public Library. $5,000
• Somers Library. $5,000
• Croton Free Library. $2,500
• Pound Ridge Library District. $2,500
• Ruth Keeler Memorial Library. $2,500
• The Field Library. $2,500

The extra funding was distributed based on need, itemized and made public for total transparency, Murphy said.

“This funding goes toward defraying the cost of the valuable programs and services libraries provide, and is much needed” said Cindy Rubino, director of the Lewisboro Library. “We thank Senator Murphy for these grants and commend his unprecedented transparency.”

PHOTO/courtesy