State Sen. Roxane J. Persaud on Tuesday introduced that Brooklyn Public Library – Canarsie Department has been allotted $3.5 million in state help for library building funds.
Persaud, the Guyanese-born consultant for the 19th Senate District in Brooklyn, which contains Canarsie, stated the funds will allow Brooklyn Public Library – Canarsie Department to exchange the previous construction that not meets the group necessities, operational and repair wants, or trendy power codes.
The funds are from $34 million in capital funds for public library building and broadband infrastructure tasks supplied within the FY2023-2024 State Finances, Persaud stated.
“We’re taking a big step towards revitalizing our group’s heartbeat — the library,” she stated. “With $3.5 million in state help, Brooklyn Public Library is not going to solely modernize its services but in addition improve accessibility and sources for all New Yorkers.
“This funding is a dedication to making sure our libraries stay vibrant areas for studying, innovation, and connection,” she added.
Persaud stated New York’s public libraries are in pressing want of renovation and upgrading, noting {that a} latest survey confirmed a documented want for public library building and renovation tasks totaling greater than $1.75 billion.
She stated greater than half of the over 1,000 public library buildings in communities throughout New York are over 60 years previous, and a 3rd is greater than three a long time previous.
Persaud stated a lot of New York’s native public libraries are unable to accommodate customers with disabilities, are power inefficient, and can’t present Web and pc and different digital applied sciences to customers due to outdated and insufficient electrical wiring.
As well as, Persaud stated many native public libraries would not have adequate area to deal with the library’s ever-expanding assortment, handle the necessity for ample assembly areas, or present for public entry computer systems.
The State senator stated challenge actions and expenditures eligible for funding from the State Support for Library Building Program embody financing building of recent library buildings, building of additives to present buildings, and the renovation and/or rehabilitation of present area.
She stated tasks could embody roof alternative, buy and set up of other power sources, new HVAC techniques, home windows, doorways, lighting techniques, electrical upgrades, EV charging stations, standby turbines, and new building or alternative of parking tons.
Persaud stated broadband infrastructure tasks are additionally eligible, and that new furnishings, shelving and gear, together with pc gear, could also be bought for brand spanking new or newly reconfigured or renovated area.
She stated renovations designed to offer accessibility for patrons with disabilities are a excessive precedence.
Within the FY2024-2025 State Finances, Persaud stated the Legislature supplied $44 million for tasks that will probably be introduced within the Summer time of 2025.
“This improve of $10 million, from the earlier fiscal yr, acknowledges the continued want for help for libraries statewide to offer important companies to New Yorkers,” she stated.
