Harrisburg – November 7, 2016 – Funds from a state economic development program will be used to help pay for the extensive renovations now underway at the Lovett Memorial Library on Germantown Avenue in addition to improvements at other libraries in Philadelphia, state Sen. Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/ Montgomery) said today.
Haywood said that the Free Library of Philadelphia has been awarded a $1 million grant to help with its ambitious plan to upgrade and modernize Philadelphia’s library system. The funding was approved through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).
“These state funds will be used for much-needed upgrades to libraries in Philadelphia,” Haywood said. “It is important that our libraries are renovated, and I am especially pleased that the Lovett Memorial Library will be able to use a portion of the funds for its rehabilitation.”
The state grant is part of the $57.9 million 21st Century Libraries Initiative. The project includes work at the library’s main location and four other locations that are part of the neighborhood library network that has 49 sites.
“Helping our libraries with upgrades is an effective way for the state to invest and improve a region’s quality of life,” Haywood said. “In Philadelphia, we are fortunate to have an outstanding library system and this funding will make an already exemplary library network even better.”
RACP dollars can be used for the acquisition and construction of projects that have a regional impact. These include economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.
Haywood said that the Lovett Memorial Library is now closed for renovations. It is expected to reopen in Oct. 2017.
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