Middletown's Russell Library Awarded $75K State Grant

Middletown CT

15 October, 2020

5:36 PM

Description

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Russell Library in Middletown will receive more than $75,000 in state coronavirus relief funds, according to officials. Gov. Ned Lamont recently announced that the state will dedicate $2.6 million of coronavirus relief funds to support state public libraries in their efforts to protect health and safety while expanding services to residents amid the pandemic. The funds will be distributed among 65 libraries across the state, based on size and residents served per year, with a particular focus on low-income urban and rural communities. Russell Library will receive $75,860 and the Cromwell Belden Public Library in Cromwell will be receiving $29,979, according to State Sen. Matt Lesser (D-Middletown). The funds will largely be used to purchase personal protective equipment or PPE, cleaning supplies, signage and furniture, according to a news release. The new allocation of funding is in addition to ongoing work to increase broadband infrastructure and create public Wi-Fi hotspots offering free internet access at libraries and other locations across the state. "I am proud that the public libraries in Middletown and Cromwell are receiving these state grants," Lesser said. "Libraries are great places that provide people with access to information through various resources and with the help of new state funding, both the Russell Library and the Cromwell Belden Public Library will be safe environments residents in the community can go to when they need a quiet place to study or obtain any sort of information through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic." The Russell Library is currently open but masks are required to enter the building and because of the risk of COVID-19 transmission and a lack of volunteers to handle incoming materials, the library is not accepting book donations at this time. The library is also offering curbside pickup. The Cromwell Belden Public Library is also open with limited hours but some services are not available including computers, fax machines, and meeting rooms. The library is also offering curbside pickup and are not accepting book donations. Masks are required.