Bill > HB1178

This bill establishes the Rural Library Grant Program, a competitive grant initiative administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to provide financial support to small, rural libraries serving populations under 10,000 inhabitants. The program will award annual grants ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 that can be used for various infrastructure and operational needs, including maintenance projects, roof repairs, boiler and plumbing systems, energy savings initiatives, HVAC equipment upgrades, health and safety improvements, emergency repairs, internet connectivity, and accessibility projects. The Department of Education is required to develop guidelines within 60 days of the bill's effective date, create an application process, review submissions with consideration for geographical distribution, and publicly list funded projects on their website. Funding for the grants will come from General Fund appropriations, and libraries can revise and resubmit denied applications. The bill aims to support rural libraries by providing critical financial resources to maintain and improve their facilities and services, with a particular focus on infrastructure and technology needs that might be challenging for smaller communities to address independently.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1178