State officials recently toured the State Library of Pennsylvania to highlight $70 million in new funding for local libraries in the 2023-24 budget.
First Lady Lori Shapiro, Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, and Deputy Secretary for the Office of Commonwealth Libraries Susan Banks toured the main Reading Room, the closed stacks, the Digital Collections area, the Law Library, the Rare Collections Library, and the STEMLab. The areas were recently renovated and will re-open to the public on Jan. 9.
The budget invests $70 million into the Public Library Subsidy. Funding goes to local libraries, library systems, and 29 district library centers, and also provides Pennsylvanians access to statewide resource center libraries.
“Libraries provide valuable human connections such as safe spaces for children, classes for older adults, access to technology, and other worthwhile resources to communities across the commonwealth,” Shapiro said. “The State Library of Pennsylvania has a long legacy of excellence and continues to be a model institution. I look forward to seeing how the library’s new space enhances its mission to serve Pennsylvanians.”
The State Library of Pennsylvania provides access to electronic resources to support state government, supports library practices, and houses unique collections focused on Pennsylvania.