Will County library systems receive over $500,000 in state grants

Libraries can use the funds for new services and products

Multiple public library systems in Will County are receiving thousands of dollars in state grants a state legislator announced.

State Sen. John Connor, D-Lockport, announced the more than $521,000 in grants for the library systems.

The Fountaindale Public Library District in Bolingbrook will receive $99,832. The Three Rivers Public Library District, which has branches in Channahon and Minooka, will receive $39,235. The Joliet Public Library will receive $218,686. The White Oak Library District, which has branches in Crest Hill, Lockport and Romeoville, will receive $114,892. The Woodridge Public Library will receive $48,632.

“Libraries are such a valuable resource to our communities,” Connor said in the news release. “Not only can residents borrow books and movies at the library, but they can access the internet reliably, use public computers and printers, or even just find a quiet space to study or work remotely.”

The libraries will use the grants from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office to fund new services and products, such as audiobooks, adult programming, dual language materials and more. More than 600 public libraries across the state received a little over $18 million from the state program, according to the release.

“Adequately funded libraries are able to best serve our communities and continue to provide a wide range of resources,” Connor said in the release. “We have exceptional public libraries in our area, and I am pleased to see them receive the funds they deserve.”