Program Description
This program provides grants for public library construction projects to improve their facilities to meet their communities' needs. Public libraries can apply under two grant categories:
- Category #1 - 80% of total monies fund projects that create additional usable space (i.e. new buildings, additions, and renovations).
- Category #2 - 20% of total monies fund projects that improve existing space (i.e. handicapped accessibility, correcting building and fire code violations, remodeling to accommodate new technologies, and energy conservation).
If the properties are listed on the State Register of Historic Places and owned by non-profit organizations or municipalities, you can apply for a Historic Restoration Fund (HRF) Grants from the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, History Division. It may be used for the restoration, rehabilitation or purchase of historic buildings, structures, and objects as well as the investigation of archaeological sites.
The required U.S. Geological map can be purchased from the DEP Bookstore or check out Topozone.com, where you can print maps. Information on the Conservation Development Policies Plan, 2004-2009 is located on the Office of Policy and Management's web page. The AENGLC (wealth) rank is located on the State Department of Education, Division of Finance and Internal Operations website. Connecticut Population Projections were published by the Connecticut State Data Center at the University of Connecticut on May 16, 2007, after a hiatus of at least a decade. If you are planning to apply for a construction grant, please use 2030 projected population figures when completing the Library Space Planning Guide..
The construction grants must comply with the DAS Contractor Prequalification Program. The DAS Contractor Prequalification Program (Public Act 03-215) requires all contractors to prequalify "before they can bid on any construction, alteration, remodeling, repair or demolition of any public building, for work by the state or a municipality, estimated to cost more than $500,000 and which is funded in whole or in part with state funds." Use the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Contractor Prequalification Directory Search. Also, DAS has compiled a list of persons or firms, Debarred Contractors, that have been debarred in accordance with Section 31-53a of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended. State Public Library Construction projects should not be using these contractors.
For information on library buildings, planning for construction, and related links to other websites, see Library Buildings.
For Further Information, Contact
Mary Louise Jensen, Building Consultant.
Division of Library Development
Willimantic Library Service Center
1320 Main Street, Suite 25
Willimantic, CT 06226
800-253-7944 or 860-456-1717, ext. 306
Fax: 860-423-5874
Timetable and Guidelines and Application
Grant Program for Public Library Construction: Timetable and Guidelines and Application are available by downloading them or they will be sent upon request.
Construction grant workshop
Grant presentation
Flowchart
Construction grant paperwork meeting
If you have trouble opening the PDF files, you will need to update your PDF software. Below are the documents for the construction grant paperwork meeting.
- Materials to be sent to Connecticut State Library
- Contract Materials (contract sent separately)
- Grant Contract Instructions
- Notice of Applicant Funding
- Association Libraries only: Lien example, Ethics Affidavits & Certifications for State Contracts (For grants over $50,000 but less than $500,000 complete forms 1 and 5. For grants over $500,000 complete forms 1,5, and 6) and Nondiscrimination Certificate (For grants under $50,000 complete form B. For grants $50,000 and over complete forms C and either D or E.)
- Information for Contractor and Architect
- Statements that should be included in the specifications
- DAS prequalfication information for individual contracts over $500,000
- Sign information
- Notice of Contract Award form
- Checklist
- Flowchart
- Helpful Library Building Links
Construction grant payment
- Payment form
- Payment Schedule
- 50% of the total grant will be paid upon certification that 50% of the total cost of the project has been completed.
- 40% more of the total grant will be paid upon certification that 75% of the total cost of the project has been completed.
- The final ten percent (10%) of the grant will be paid upon submission of an Application for Payment, the architect's certification of one hundred percent (100%) completion. In order for the Grantee to receive its final payment it shall also furnish the following to the State Library:
- 1) The final AIA documents G702 and G703 with "paid" written on the AIA document or payment voucher for final payment of the project,
- 2) For projects of $3,000,000 or less, invoices for expenses listed in the Budget Information section under Project Cost Estimate in the application as submitted to the State Library Board excluding the expenses covered in the AIA documents G702 and G703,.
- 3) A Final Expenditure Report
Amount of Funds Available
$5 million for distressed municipalities and $3.5 million for non-distressed municipalities in funding is available in FY 2008.
Grant Awards
Eligibility Amount of the Grant Key Dates Statutory References Funding Source For Grant Materials ( i.e. Applications, Contracts, and Payments) contact : Mary Louise Jensen
All public libraries in the state of Connecticut
The grant is one-third (1/3) of the total cost of the project. The maximum grant is $1,000,000, and the minimum grant is $6,666 (a total project cost of $20,000).
Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) Section 11-24c
State: State Bonding Fund
Division of Library Development
Willimantic Library Service Center
1320 Main Street, Suite 25
Willimantic, CT 06226
