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July 12, 2005

Elizabeth Kaufman
Pat McGuckin

White Awards $250,000 To Riverdale Public Library For Critical Building Repairs

SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White awarded the Riverdale Public Library a $250,000 disaster relief grant today that will help make critical repairs to the building's roof.

A structural engineer has determined that trusses and joists supporting the roof of the library were badly damaged and parts of the building have structural damage caused by settlement. While temporary beams were installed to support the roof, the library has had to close on several occasions for fear that heavy snow would cause the roof to cave-in.

"Children rely on the library as a place to read and do homework," said White. "Adults rely on the computers and Internet service to updates resumes, search for jobs and obtain important forms. Closing the library due to heavy snow on the roof imposes a real hardship to the community that they shouldn't have to deal with."

White said he's pleased to provide the grant, which will help the library offer the community its valuable resources. The grant is from the Live and Learn Construction program administered by the Secretary of State's office.

"We truly appreciate Secretary White's kindness and concern for our situation, and we will be forever grateful for his extremely generous grant," said Riverdale's Administrative Librarian Adelle Swanson.

In addition, the Riverdale library was one of the Illinois libraries to qualify for the maximum amount of free computers given by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Library program.

Secretary White praised Mayor Zenovia Evans for her efforts on behalf of the library and thanked State Senator James T. Meeks (I-Calumet City), State Representative William "Will" Davis (D-East Hazel Crest) and State Representative David E. Miller (D-Dolton) for their support of the Live and Learn Construction program in the Illinois General Assembly. White also thanked Library Board President Frances Richard-Bey and library trustees for their efforts.

The Riverdale Public Library building was originally constructed in the early 1950s as a grocery store. A small addition was added to the west end of the building in 1989. The library serves 15,000 residents immediately outside the Chicago city limits.