The Jean Barnett Trone Memorial Library of East Berlin was one of only 27 public libraries in 18 counties awarded a grant from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Pennsylvania Department of Education, with funds provided from the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund. Keystone grants are competitive grants that pay up to 50 percent of eligible costs to plan, acquire, construct, or rehabilitate public library facilities.
In line with the Keystone grant priorities, the awarded funds will be used to improve the building's accessibility and sustainability. Plans include the installation of new automatic entry doors on the upper level, and the lower level will undergo a transformation into more functional library space with one half serving as a community room to accommodate at least 100 people complete with restroom facilities and kitchenette. The remaining half of the lower level will serve as an area where donated items can be properly processed and displayed to allow patrons to safely browse and shop the collection.
While the library does have funds earmarked for the project as the grant requires, fundraising for the matching part of the grant is underway to ensure reserves are not seriously depleted during this project.
A gap in construction costs and furnishings of approximately $75,000 is anticipated. The public is encouraged to support the project.
Readers may learn more about this project by attending the library's 10th annual dinner gala and silent auction on Friday, April 26, at Inn 94. For more ways to donate and support the library, readers may contact Brandt Ensor, library director, at 717-259-9000 or brandte@adamslibrary.org.
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