Jacobs Announces Funding for Buffalo & Erie County Public Libraries

(Buffalo, NY) – New York State Senator Chris Jacobs announced that he has secured $120,000 in state funding for the twelve branch libraries in the 60^th Senate District. This funding will support program upgrades, additional supplies, and other improvements that will enhance the educational impact of these libraries on youth in these twelve communities.

This is the second consecutive year that Jacobs has been able to secure library funding, resulting in a cumulative total of Senate funding and competitive state aid of more than $330,000 dollars for libraries in the 60^th Senate District.

“Libraries do so much to enhance the quality of life and learning for residents of all ages that their continued support must be a priority,” said Senator Jacobs.  “From preserving our history to opening up new worlds, libraries are critically important institutions in our community and a mainstay of our society’s educational framework.”

The Senator was joined at the press conference by Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System Director Mary Jean Jakubowski, whose Crane, Niagara, North Park and Riverside branch libraries are receiving funding.  Representatives were also present from member libraries receiving funding including the Angola Public Library, City of Tonawanda Public Library, Grand Island Memorial Library, Hamburg Public Library and its Lakeshore Branch, Orchard Park Public Library as well as the Kenmore and Kenilworth Town of Tonawanda Public Libraries.  

“On behalf of the libraries in Senator Jacobs’ 60th district, I am so pleased that he has, for the second consecutive year, secured an additional $10,000 for each location,” said Director Jakubowski.  “The community truly benefits from this generous support which will be used toward kid-friendly furniture, coding technology equipment for public programs, new book drop boxes and so much more.”

The funding to the libraries comes in the form of unrestricted aid, meaning they will have the discretion to use these funds for programming, capital expenses, new initiatives, technology and computer upgrades or additions to their respective collections.

In addition to the education funding Jacobs secured, the 2018 Library Construction Funding Program Awards in the current budget were also recently announced.  The Hamburg-Lakeshore Public Library will be receiving $48,538 to replace the building’s HVAC system.  The Kenmore Branch Library in the Town of Tonawanda will be receiving $20,991 to replace and upgrade their electrical service and the Niagara Branch Library will be using $7,317 to add digital cameras and a network video recorder security system.

“For almost 200 years our library system has protected our public right to information while storing our community’s knowledge and ensuring everyone has access to it,” Jacobs said.  “I am pleased that this funding will enable the library system to continue to promote the values of cooperation and sharing, and I look forward to seeing the impact these funds will have in individual branches,” the Senator concluded.