Basloe Library in Herkimer awarded $73,000 state grant for improvements – The Times Telegram

Donna Thompson|Times Telegram

The Frank J. Basloe Library in Herkimer will add a handicapped accessible restroom with the help of a nearly $73,000 state grant, Assemblyman Robert Smullen announced.

The $72,647 grant was among those Smullen, R-Meco, announced Monday for libraries in New York's 118th Assembly District as approved by the state Education Department and the New York State Library Association. The fundsare available through a $34 million capital fund appropriation in the state budget.

Basloe Library Director Christine Fleischer said the library'stwo existing restrooms will be reconfigured. Athird restroom, one compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act,will be added.

While the present restrooms are spacious and fitted with grab bars, they are not accessible to all persons in wheelchairs, she said.

She does not expect the work to begin until next year, as the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the timetable. The library applied last fall for the funding.

Weve applied for another grant and planned on combining the two projects, she said.

The library is also seeking $185,746 to construct a new childrens room.

At the moment, the children's room is in the rear of the library's main area out of sight for any parents working on the computers, Fleischer said.One of the windowsinstalled on the building'sNorth Main Street side will be part of the reconfigured area, which will be walled off with large windows to provide easy visibility.

Plans call for the current childrens room area to be used for quiet study, storage space andhousing the genealogy room.

The state funding requires a local match, said Fleischer, who added that she does not expect the library to receive the full amount requested. She said the available state funds for library construction projects dropped from the $34 million inthe current round to $14 million for the next. An anonymous $30,000 donation will provide the local share of the restroom project.

The library would haveto raise any portion of the funding for the next phase of the project that is not covered by grant money.

The first phase of the librarys renovation project, completed last year, included new windows, security improvements, electrical upgrades, anew circulation desk, new staff work spacesand new carpeting and paint.

I want the library to be a comfortable, welcoming place where people can make themselves at home, she said.

Construction awards announced in the 118th Assembly district include:

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Basloe Library in Herkimer awarded $73,000 state grant for improvements - The Times Telegram