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April 18, 2008

Pat McGuckin
Henry Haupt

Jesse White Awards $14.2 Million in Annual Public Library Per Capita Grants

SPRINGFIELD – Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has awarded Illinois public libraries almost $14.2 million in fiscal year 2008 per capita and equalization aid grants.

White said 634 public library per capita grants were allocated at a rate of $1.21 per resident. Ten public libraries with a low library tax base will receive equalization aid grants to ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

"I have always believed that Illinois' public libraries are cornerstones of our communities, places where every citizen can go for information, education or entertainment," White said. "This valuable funding my office awards each year helps ensure that our public libraries have the resources to address the needs of their patrons. Libraries count on these per capita grants for important expenses such as paying for books, personnel, equipment, and electronic access.”

White said he has requested increases in funding for public library per capita and equalization aid grants in his office’s FY09 budget that will be voted on by lawmakers later this spring. White is also seeking increased funds this year for school library grants, public library construction grants and literacy grants. Collectively, White’s FY 09 budget request for the Secretary of State’s office includes an increase of nearly $2.5 million in general revenue funds for grants to libraries and literacy programs.

“I encourage citizens who love their libraries to contact their State Senators and Representatives and urge them to support these modest funding increases,” White said. “Our libraries will remain the best and most reliable sources available to citizens for information if we provide them with some of the financial resources they need to meet patron needs.”

List Of FY08 Public Library Per Capita Grant Recipients