Eleven libraries and school districts across the 11th Senate District will receive more than $180,000 in state grants to upgrade security, expand collections, and boost literacy programs.
The funding comes from the Illinois Secretary of State’s annual library grant program, which distributed over $27 million to 640 public libraries and 2,500 school libraries statewide. State Senator Mike Porfirio’s district captured grants ranging from $850 to $97,325.
Berwyn Public Library received the largest share at $97,325. Five other public libraries and five school districts in the district also qualified: Bridgeview ($28,945), Hodgkins ($20,556), Summit ($18,977), North Riverside ($12,624), and Bedford Park ($1,337).
School districts receiving funding include Riverside Brookfield Township District 208 ($1,448), Burbank School District 111 ($2,651), Reavis High School District 220 ($1,651), Summit School District 104 ($850), and La Grange South Elementary School District 105 ($999).
The grants support reading materials, technology, literacy programs, infrastructure improvements, and security upgrades. School library grants, awarded annually, are designed to support student learning from kindergarten through 12th grade.
“Libraries are more than a place for studying; they are a path to exploration, knowledge and opportunity that is free to access for anyone in the community,” Porfirio said in a statement. “These grants keep our libraries modernized and well-equipped to ensure programming and resources are available to all.”
In Porfirio’s district, six public libraries and five school districts received funding, including:
- Bedford Park Public Library District – $1,337
- Berwyn Public Library – $97,325
- Bridgeview Public Library – $28,945
- Hodgkins Public Library District – $20,556
- North Riverside Public Library District – $12,624
- Summit Public Library District – $18,977
- La Grange South Elementary School District 105 – $999
- Riverside Brookfield Township District 208 – $1,448
- Summit School District 104 – $850
- Burbank School District 111 – $2,651
- Reavis High School District 220 – $1,651