Bristol Press – Plainville Library receives over $ 18,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding
PLAINVILLE – The Plainville Public Library has received over $ 18,000 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which has been used to provide new easy-to-sanitize seats throughout the library.
Last spring, the Connecticut State Library received $ 2,775,000 from ARPA funds from the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This money was intended to be used for direct grants to 165 eligible public libraries statewide. From this reserve, the Plainville public library received a grant of $ 18,763 to help with measures that will allow the library to reopen safely.
Trish Tomlinson, director of the Plainville Public Library, said the grant will partially fund new library lounge seating throughout the building, which are easier to clean and disinfect daily.
“We have such a spacious and gracious historic library building, with large windows and an atmosphere that naturally invites people to sit down and enjoy a good read,” said Tomlinson. “We knew our old lounge chairs had definitely seen better days; in addition, the old furniture was covered with fabric, which made it difficult to constantly clean it. ”
Tomlinson said the new furniture arrived at the library a few weeks ago after “long shipping delays.”
“These grant funds have made it possible to purchase high quality antimicrobial leather seats that freshen up the decor and will last for many years to come,” she added. “The best part is the seats are incredibly comfortable. ”
Connecticut State Librarian Deborah Schander said ILS views the results of ARPA funding as the logical extension of the CARES Act in 2020 and Governor Ned Lamont’s “Everybody Learns” initiative. Together, she said, these efforts have helped public libraries “safely refresh spaces and equipment, expand programming possibilities and increase services, access to libraries for all is improved and restored.” .
“In libraries, we are committed to meeting the information and access needs of our communities,” she said. “Experiencing this pandemic and surviving together has only reaffirmed our commitment to this work. “Meeting the needs of our communities that may have been exacerbated by covid and building and improving safety and accessibility for all – that’s what libraries do. We are ready to move forward under the American Rescue Plan Act.
Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or [email protected]
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