2024-2025 Construction Grants

Available funds | How do I apply? | Resources and forms

Any public or association library or public library system chartered by the Regents of the State of New York or established by an act of the New York State Legislature is eligible to apply for State Aid for Library Construction to cover approved costs for the acquisition, construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of public libraries or public library system headquarters, as well as broadband infrastructure projects. 

The Finger Lakes Library System administers the State Aid for Public Library Construction Program for our service area.  Construction grants are competitive.  Routine maintenance does not qualify. Eligible project activities and expenditures include:

Site acquisition: Purchase of vacant land (Library Construction Bill (S.4101/A.113) or land with an existing building and evidence of plans and available funding to construct a new building or parking lot.

New construction: New building, an addition to an existing building, demolition and/or site preparation.

Building renovation/rehabilitation, such as:
•  Installation of photovoltaic panels, geothermal wells, and other alternative energy resources;
•  Replacement of roofs, windows, and doors;
•  Accessible entryways (ramps & doorways) and bathrooms;
•  Installation of elevators;
•  New electrical, plumbing, lighting, and HVAC;
•  New driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots;
•  Reconstruction /reconfiguration of existing space (for example, reconfiguring a current room to include a dedicated “Teen Corner”);
•  New furniture, equipment, and shelving for a new or newly reconfigured space.
• The purchase and installation of generators as a back-up to existing utility systems;
• The purchase and installation of assistive listening systems (including loops);
• The installation of broadband connections (monthly connection fees are not eligible);
• The purchase and installation of exterior signage, with or without lighting.

How much money is available?

Funding for State Aid for Library Construction comes from an annual appropriation in the NYS Budget. ($44 million for 2024-2025). Of that total amount, NYS has designated $1,171,777  in construction aid for our service area for 2024-2025.  The minimum allocation per project is $2,500. There is no set maximum award allocation, although funds are limited by total availability.

We encourage libraries to show matching funds as close to 50% as possible in case the total award amount for eligible projects exceeds our allocated amount.

How do I apply?

NOTE: Please see the State Aid for Public Library Construction Program “Preparing Your Application” page for more information.

If you are interested in applying please:

1. Review the FLLS Construction Grant Guidelines and the basic criteria described in our Application Overview and Checklist to determine your eligibility (see links below) and;
2. Contact System Director Sarah Glogowski at sglogowski@flls.org  or 607-273-4074 if you are thinking of applying and/or to schedule a site visit as soon as possible.

The application process is not difficult, but it involves a fair amount of paperwork that can take multiple months to complete.

Application Forms:

Please see the State Aid for Public Library Construction Program “Preparing Your Application” page for a complete list and detailed information.

2024 Timeline

NOTE: Please see the State Aid for Public Library Construction Program “Project Guidelines and Timeframes” page for more information.

May 2024– Review FLLS Construction Grant Guidelines and basic criteria described in our Application Overview and Checklist to determine your eligibility.

June 5, 2024 – Construction Grant Portal Opens

June-August 2024 – Work on Construction Grant Application

September 6, 2024 – Grant Application due to FLLS

September 25, 2024- FLLS Board of Trustees Reviews Applications

October 1, 2024 – Applications are due to DLD from FLLS

June – October 2025 Libraries receive confirmation of grant awards from DLD

Resources and Forms

Guidelines and FAQs:

FLLS Construction Grant Guidelines – Official eligibility guidelines, reduced match qualification criteria, and FLLS’s criteria for prioritizing award amounts.

The application process for State Aid for Library Construction is entirely online. New user? Create Your Account.
Online Portal Login
ADA Businesses that are Open to the Public Guidelines

Calculate Reduced Match Statistics:

NYS Free and Reduced Lunch Statistics  (Select the County, change the Claim Period to Dec (or any month from the previous year), check the Public School box and click Find.  You can copy and paste into a spreadsheet.)

Poverty Rates: Search for your area and then click the link that says “income and poverty” on the right side of the results.

Reduced Match Eligibility: This chart shows if your library is eligible for a reduced match.