Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, has announced approximately $350,000 in public library construction funds has been awarded to libraries in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties.

The funds will enable local libraries to build new space, make necessary building improvements, convert space to meet current needs and perform exterior renovations.

"I have often said our libraries and schools are the hearts and souls of our communities. Just like I fight for equitable funding for our schools, I think it is equally important to provide the funding to support the libraries in our small towns, villages and cities," Jenne said.

"It is amazing to walk into North Country libraries and see the steps they are taking to better address the needs of their patrons. They are far more than shelves filled with books, magazines and newspapers. Their computers provide access to library users that might not have that access at their homes and their cultural offerings bring fresh life and differing perspectives to their community. Our libraries are as important today - even though their mission has changed - as when they were first built decades ago," she noted.

The Morristown Public Library is using its nearly $67,000 award for the second phase of a three-phase project that will nearly double the size of the facility.

"We are very excited. We are doing a 995 square foot addition, and we are expecting construction will start within the next few days," Morristown Public Library Director Bridget Whalen-Nevin said.

"There are going to be more racks for books, and we are creating an area for people to sit and work on their own devices. We have a lot of people come in with their laptops and cell phones, and they need a space to power up," she noted.

Ms. Whalen-Nevin said Assemblywoman Jenne has long been a champion fighting for funding for local libraries.

"I'd like to thank Addie for her continuous support," she said.

The Morristown library director said the funding from the state was critical to meeting the community's need.

"We hold our Plein Air art festival each year as a fundraiser, but there is no way we could raise the funds on our own we need to do this addition," Ms. Whalen-Nevin noted.

The funds are from $19 million in capital funds for public library construction that were provided in the 2016 state budget.

Local libraries receiving funding include:

• Massena Public Library: $11,326 to construct a technology education center, career exploration lab and a job seekers resource center.

• Morristown Public Library: $67,787 to expand the library's current building.

• Norwood Public Library: $3,874 to convert a work space into a circulation desk and work area.

• Ogdensburg Public Library: $23,087 to create energy efficient space for historical preservation and storage of materials.

• Potsdam Public Library: $15,441 to construct a canopy roof over an existing entrance.

• Hepburn Library of Waddington: $28,650 to replace a handicap lift and renovate basement flooring.

Jenne, a long-time supporter of public libraries in the region, had announced last fall she had secured $125,000 in funding to help connect libraries in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties to high speed internet.

The funding secured by Jenne played a significant role in helping fill the remaining $206,000 cost the North Country Library System had committed to fund to move the project forward.

The member libraries, ranging from Massena to East Hounsfield, are being provided with internet access through a shared connection at the North Country Library Service headquarters capable of speeds up to 1 Gigabits per second.

Jenne said New York’s public libraries are in urgent need of renovation and upgrading. She said several libraries have stood in North Country communities for nearly a century.

A recent survey showed a documented need for public library construction and renovation projects totaling more than $2.2 billion.

More than 50 percent of the over 1,000 public library buildings in communities across New York are over 60 years old.

Another 33 percent are more than three decades old.