Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias awarded $28.3 million for library services and literacy programs throughout the state. The grants include awards to the regional libraries systems across the state to enhance online catalogues at local libraries, support day-to-day operations, expand interlibrary loan programs and radio information services that equip vision-impaired individuals with narrations of newspaper content. The literacy grants are designed to promote basic reading, math, writing and English language skills. The most recent grant funding includes:

• More than $6.7 million in literacy grants to over 70 organizations across the state that support adult, family and workplace literacy programs awarded to volunteer organizations, community colleges and school districts, and not-for-profit entities. 

• More than $2.6 million to expand online catalogues and interlibrary resource sharing between public, school, academic, and special libraries, providing more variety in the types of resources Illinoisans can access.

• Nearly $50,000 to support veteran’s home libraries that provide books, magazines, computers and internet access to veterans in long-term care and their spouses.

The Secretary of State’s office awarded grants for library and literacy programs using combined state funds and federal Library Services and Technology Act funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.