Belt Secures Over $800,000 For Metro East Libraries

SWANSEA – State Senator Christopher Belt announced 31 public libraries and school districts across the Metro East are set to receive more than $800,000 for library services, enhanced programming and construction and security upgrades.

“Libraries are places where no one is turned away,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Whether you seek knowledge or a place to feel a part of something, libraries will always be there to help you along the way.”

More than $27 million was awarded to over 640 public libraries and 2,500 school libraries statewide through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants, Security and Construction Grants and School Library Grants. The funding will support libraries’ investments in reading materials, technology, literacy programs, infrastructure improvements and security upgrades. School library grants, awarded once every fiscal year, will support student learning and literacy from kindergarten through 12th grade.

In Belt’s district, 13 public libraries and 18 school districts received funding, including:

• Belleville Public Library
• Cahokia Public Library District
• Daugherty Public Library District
• East Saint Louis Public Library
• Freeburg Area Library District
• Lebanon Public Library
• Madison Public Library
• Mascoutah Public Library
• Millstadt Library District
• New Athens District Library
• O'Fallon Public Library
• Smithton Public Library District
• Venice Public Library
• Belle Valley School District 119
• Belleville Township High School District 201
• Grant Community Consolidated School District 110
• Harmony Emge School District 175
• High Mount School District 116
• O'Fallon Township High School District 203
• Signal Hill School District 181
• Cahokia Community Unit School District 187
• Dupo Community Unit School District 196
• East Saint Louis School District 189
• Freeburg Community Consolidated School District 70
• Freeburg Community High School District 77
• Lebanon Community Unit School District 9
• Mascoutah Community Unit District 19
• Millstadt Community Consolidated School District 160
• New Athens Community Unit School District 60
• O'Fallon School District 90
• Smithton Community Consolidated School District 130

A full list of public and school libraries receiving grant funding can be found here.

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