LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Grant funding is going to provide more than $1 million in improvements to Lake County’s libraries.
In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $254 million in grants to public libraries in 172 cities across 34 counties to renovate and improve facilities across the state.
The funding comes from the first round of the California State Library’s $439 million Building Forward Library Improvement Grant Program, which Newsom’s office said is the largest investment in public library infrastructure in California history.
Among the libraries awarded funding are Lake County’s four libraries, which combined will receive $1,099,667 in this round of grants, the Governor’s Office reported.
The state said the Lakeport Library will receive $633,067; the Middletown Library has been allocated $193,533; Redbud Library, $254,467; and the Upper Lake Library, $18,600.
In awarding the grants, the state said it gave first priority to the state’s least-resourced communities and projects that address long-delayed critical life and safety facility needs including seismic safety, heating and air system replacement, building security and improved Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility.
County Librarian Christopher Veach said it’s very exciting news.
He said the Board of Supervisors, County Administrative Office, Public Services Department and Library all worked together on submitting the applications to the State Library to make critical life and safety improvements at all four library branches.
“This grant will fund over $1 million in improvements to increase the safety and security of our library branches with projects like roof repairs, retrofitting building systems, and making the library branches more accessible to patrons,” Veach said.
“What I'm most excited for are photovoltaic backup systems for our three largest branches that will allow the library to continue full operations in the event of power failure,” Veach said.
In addition to this new grant funding, Veach said he and library staff are managing grants for the IMLS Cares Act Grant for Museums and Libraries, the Stronger Together Bookmobile project, the NEA Big Read, as well as ongoing projects like the California Library Literacy Services grant and the State Library ZipBooks grant.
Visit the Lake County Library online for more information about services and programs.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Lake County Library plans for $1 million in grant-funded improvements
- Elizabeth Larson