Pennsylvania’s Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund awarded more than $3.7 million in grants to 15 public libraries across the state, Governor Corbett’s administration announced on February 14. The funds will be used to finance repairs and upgrades to library facilities. Through a competitive grant process, applicants could qualify for up to $500,000, which must be equally matched. This year’s recipients were chosen from among 28 applicants. The recipients are:

• Sharpsburg Community Library, Allegheny County, $349,701
• Village Library of Wrightstown, Bucks County, $6,000
• Cranberry Public Library, Butler County, $230,183
• Barbara Moscato Brown Memorial Library, Cameron County, $28,000
• Shippensburg Public Library, Cumberland County, $500,000
• Media-Upper Providence Free Library, Delaware County, $500,000
• Ridgway Public Library, Elk County, $26,847
• Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville, Fayette County, $150,000
• Punxsutawney Memorial Library, Jefferson County, $60,000
• Albright Memorial Library, Lackawanna County, $500,000
• West Pittston Library, Luzerne County, $500,000
• Dorothy E. Warner Branch Library, Pike County, $203,215
• Citizen’s Library, Washington County, $500,000
• Wayne County Public Library, Wayne County, $86,761
• Youngwood Area Public Library, Westmoreland County, $65,950

The Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund is funded by 15 percent of the state’s realty transfer tax. Public libraries are allocated four percent of those funds, distributed via the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Since it began in 1993, the fund has given $23.6 million to support 212 Pennsylvania libraries. The fund also supports projects in higher education and historic preservation, as well as the recreation, parks, and conservation that give the fund its name.