Baldwin Borough Public Library Awarded $100,000 CITF Grant for Renovation of Leland Center as New Community Library
Pittsburgh, PA August 14, 2017– Baldwin Borough Public Library has been awarded a $100,000 Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund (CITF) grant from the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County in support of the renovation of Baldwin’s Leland Center building into a new community library.
These funds are in addition to the already awarded $500,000 Keystone grant from Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Pennsylvania Department of Education, awarded in March and the $300,000 commitment from Baldwin Borough Council.
“This grant award from the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County is an incredible boost to our project,” commented library director Jennifer Worley. “I am so excited that our vision to provide a welcoming and innovative library and gathering space for the Baldwin community is becoming a reality.”
The new Library at Leland Center incorporates separate areas for adults, teens and children, with comfortable seating and furnishings to allow for browsing, quiet study, and relaxed reading. The design of children’s section will promote creativity through a fun an interactive design. The new space will also accommodate more computer access, Wi-Fi connectivity and public mobile laptops.
“I’m especially grateful for our partnership with our local legislators, Representative Harry Readshaw, Representative Bill Kortz and Senator James Brewster, for their vocal support of this project. We could not have done this without their help,” stated Worley. “I’m also thankful to John Slater, from John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc and Baldwin Borough Council, who also endorsed our application. It is incredibly rewarding to know that we have the support of our community leaders behind us.”
Construction is expected to begin in early 2018, and take approximately nine months. The library will continue to remain open with normal operating hours at its current location until the project is finished. Move-in is anticipated in late fall of 2018, with a grand opening celebration in 2019.