Capital Project Grant Funding Opportunities for Public Libraries
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Libraries has announced the recipients of $15.9 million dollars in competitive grant monies to 14 public libraries in Vermont with funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These one-time, substantial grants will address critical building improvements that ensure Vermonters in these communities have continued access to high-speed internet for the purposes of work, education, and health monitoring at their local public libraries.
The COVID-19 health emergency highlighted the critical importance of high-speed internet access to Vermonters, as so many aspects of everyday life–including going to school, working remotely, and attending medical appointments–moved online. In this context, the crucial role public libraries play by providing internet access became even more apparent. Vermonters without home access to the internet were impacted by the pandemic more than those who had access.
These state ARPA funds will help ensure continued internet access at public libraries in need of critical building repairs and improvements.
“The Department of Libraries is excited about this opportunity to support communities around the state by administering the first federal capital funding for Vermont public libraries in 20 years,” said State Librarian and Commissioner of Libraries Catherine Delneo. “A needs assessment conducted by the Department in 2023 reflected a high need for maintenance, repairs, and modernization in public library buildings, many of which are more than 100 years old. Libraries serve as community hubs and this money supports these crucial facilities and the Vermonters that will depend on them well into the future.”
“Over the years, technology has become a part of our daily lives. We rely on the internet for things like school, work, medical appointments and more,” said Governor Phil Scott. “These grants will help Vermonters get connected at libraries across the state.”
These funds were distributed through a highly competitive grant process open to all public libraries in Vermont. Funds were distributed to public libraries in 11 counties and to libraries located in small villages to larger towns
The Vermont Department of Libraries is administering two federal capital project grant opportunities for public libraries in Vermont:
- $16.4M U.S. Treasury Capital Projects Fund for Libraries
- $10M Public Facilities Preservation Initiative Grants
Grant Recipients:
Library: Alice M. Ward Memorial Library
City: Canaan
County: Essex
Award: $900,000
Project: Interior renovations for ADA compliance and improved patron centered useability, new HVAC system, new windows
Library: Arvin A. Brown Public Library
City: Richford
County: Franklin
Award: $174,502
Project: Renovations to increase useable library space, new HVAC system, electrical system updates, new windows, and interior renovations for ADA compliance
Library: Bennington Free Library
City: Bennington
County: Bennington
Award: $1,500,000
Project: Building envelope repairs with new windows and insulation, new HVAC system with electrical system updates
Library: Brandon Free Public Library Inc.
City: Brandon
County: Rutland
Award: $1,406,936
Project: Installation of four-story elevator with renovations and improvements for ADA compliance, repair or replace windows for energy efficiency
Library: Brooks Memorial Library
City: Brattleboro
County: Windham
Award: $1,472,501
Project: Asbestos abatement and building envelope repairs with interior and exterior renovations for ADA compliance
Library: Grand Isle Free Library
City: Grand Isle
County: Grand Isle
Award: $1,500,000
Project: New library building construction
Library: Groton Free Public Library
City: Groton
County: Caledonia
Award: $522,043
Project: Building expansion and envelope repairs with renovations for ADA compliance, new HVAC system
Library: Jeudevine Memorial Library
City: Hardwick
County: Caledonia
Award: $725,000
Project: Library expansion with two-story addition, four ADA compliant bathrooms, HVAC plumbing and electrical updates
Library: Johnson Public Library
City: Johnson
County: Lamoille
Award: $1,500,000
Project: Relocate building away from flood zone with new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, construct an addition to existing building, renovations to egresses for ADA compliance
Library: Lawrence Memorial Library
City: Bristol
County: Addison
Award: $483,000
Project: New HVAC system, building envelope repairs for structural integrity, electrical and mechanical system updates
Library: Leach Public Library
City: Irasburg
County: Orleans
Award: $1,082,750
Project: Library expansion with two-story addition, new elevator, ADA compliant bathroom, and new HVAC system
Library: Middletown Springs Public Library
City: Middletown Springs
County: Rutland
Award: $1,293,384
Project: Renovate and upgrade library building infrastructure at new library site
Library: Salisbury Free Public Library
City: Salisbury
County: Addison
Award: $978,807
Project: Repair or replace HVAC system, new plumbing system, potable water, interior and exterior renovations for ADA compliance
Library: Wilder Memorial Library
City: Weston
County: Windsor
Award: $650,000
Project: Building expansion and envelope repairs, new HVAC and plumbing systems, electrical system updates, and new ADA compliant bathroom
View Capital Project Fund News Highlights
Overview:
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Capital Projects Funds (CPF) Program, administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, provides $10 billion for payments to eligible governments to carry out critical capital projects directly enabling work, education, and health monitoring, including remote options, in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Through this program, the Department of Libraries will administer $16.4 million in Capital Project funds toward capital improvements to Vermont’s public libraries.
The State of Vermont allocated $16.4 million of its U.S. Treasury ARPA CPF toward capital improvements to Vermont’s public libraries.
Through this program, the Department of Libraries will administer $16.4 million in CPF toward capital improvements to Vermont’s public libraries.
Goal:
To address critical building improvements to ensure Vermonters have continued access to high-speed Internet to directly enable work, education, and health monitoring at their local public libraries.
Timeline:
- January 30, 2024 through March 12, 2024: Grant application period for the U.S. Treasury Capital Projects Fund for Libraries
- September 2024: Grant awards announced
- December 31, 2026: End of the period of performance for all U.S. Treasury Capital Project Funds
Resources for Grant Recipients:
Federal Guidelines:
- REVISED Capital Projects Fund Guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury
- Capital Projects Fund Guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury PLEASE NOTE: new and revised edition (above)
- U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Title 2, Grants and Agreements - federal guidance for CPF grants
Resources:
- The Department's one-page overview: U.S. Treasury Capital Project Fund for Libraries (PDF)
- U.S. Treasury Capital Projects Fund for Libraries - Department of Libraries FAQ
Resources for Grant Applicants:
- Capital Project Fund Treasury Application Worksheet and Rubric (Word)
- Capital Project Fund Treasury Application Worksheet and Rubric (PDF)
- Capital Project Related Webinars
- Print Construction Resources
- Online Construction Resources
$10M Public Facilities Preservation Initiative Grants
The Vermont Department of Libraries' $10M for Public Facilities Preservation Initiative Grants for small, rural public libraries in Vermont is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through their FY2023 Economic Initiative Community Project Funding program.
This funding was made possible by the support of Senator Leahy, who included the Department’s proposal in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.
The Department's grant application for these funds will be open to all rural and small public libraries in Vermont with the exception of public libraries that received specific, individual earmarks for support through the Congressionally Directed Spending process.
Goal:
To provide resources to address repair and mitigation needs in small, rural public libraries that also serve as community meeting spaces and public facilities, with a focus on economically depressed areas.
Timeline:
- 2025: The Department will launch the competitive grant application with a webinar
- August 31, 2031: End of the period of performance for all Public Facilities Preservation Initiative grants
Resources:
- The Department's one-page overview: Congressionally Directed Funding flier (PDF)
- FY2023 Economic Initiative Community Project Fund Guidance from United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- The Department has assembled these capital project related resources for libraries:
Email Contact:
Please direct any questions to [email protected]
Stay Informed:
Communications about the Capital Projects Grants will be shared with Vermont’s public library community via our three main listservs: lib.staff, lib.trustee, and VTLibraries.
The Department of Libraries has also created a listserv dedicated to capital projects updates: [email protected]. To join this listserv, please complete this form.
Vermont Department of Libraries (Updated 9/30/2024)
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