State Library staff met recently with staff from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to learn about an allocation of a minimum of $3 million in USDA Rural Development Community Facilities funding for rural Illinois public libraries.

The funding will be provided as low interest loans or grants through last year’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and is available now through September 30, 2010. Funds may be used to construct, enlarge or improve public libraries in communities with 20,000 or fewer residents. This can include costs to acquire land needed for a facility, pay necessary professional fees and purchase equipment required for operation. Funds can be used to purchase shelving, furniture, computers, audio-visual equipment, distance learning equipment and bookmobiles.

Find out more. (Note: MHI stands for “median household income”). USDA will host a webinar soon so public libraries can learn more and ask questions.