$500K Grant Awarded to Media-UP Library Project

Good news came to the Media-Upper Providence Library at Thursday night's Media Borough council meeting. A $500,000 Keystone matching grant was awarded to the library on Feb. 15, said Marie Sciocchetti, secretary of the Media-Upper Providence Library Board.

According to Sciocchetti, the grant process was highly competitive and in its history, there have only been 212 libraries awarded "and we are now one of the privileged few of the thousands of libraries in the state." 

"There were 41 applicants, 21 actually triggered the applications and 15 were chosen," said Sciocchetti. "We were one of those 15."

The $500,000 is the maximum amount awarded to an organization or project, according to Sciocchetti. The grant will be an 18 month-process once construction begins. 

"So, in the next two years, look forward to seeing a beautiful library on this space at 1 E. Front Street," said Sciocchetti. "We're very pleased."

Sciochetti thanked the borough and council members for their support throughout the grant-writing process, which took approximately six months.

Media Borough Council President also stated he was "very impressed" with all the hard work that went through to receive the grant. "It is very impressive that you received the maximum amount from the state, especially in these times," said Hall. 

In December of last year, the $2.5 million renovations project had hit a funding obstacle. The library board had previously asked for $684,000 from Media, $516,000 from Upper Providence and had applied for the $500,000 Keystone Grant from the state. Private donors have given $100,000 so far to the project.

So far,  for the library renovations in 2013, but Upper Providence Township Council has not approved any funding for the library in 2013.

Donations toward the library project can be made through the library website here.