New state law expands aid for some library projects [Video]

A new law hopes to make it easier for public libraries in disadvantaged communities to use state aid for building projects.

New York state Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara hopes it will in turn allow more libraries in those communities to keep their doors open. The legislation ups the percentage of a project that can be covered by state aid from to 75 to 90.

“It changes that, it ensures they can received this up to 90%, so they only have to come up with 10%, it was much much more in the past so unfortunately they were left out,”

It also eliminates a sunset clause in existing state law that left libraries at risk of leaving that funding on the table if projects weren’t completed on time.

“It was preventing libraries from taking on these projects because if they don’t get it done on time because, unfortunately, they’re out on the …