Area libraries receive grant money from the state

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

The Urbana Free Library to receive over $56K to improver technology infrastructure through a Public Library Per Capita Grant from the state.

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SNS - Libraries in Champaign, Urbana, and Oakwood in the 52nd Senate District will receive a combined $196,330 in grants to improve resources for patrons and programming.

Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias announced this week that the Champaign Public Library would receive $131,128 and the Urbana Free Library would receive $56,928. The Oakwood would receive $8,274 in funding from the state. Danville, Rantoul, and Westville would also be recipients of grant money.

The grants were distributed statewide to assist libraries most in need of upgrading their technology infrastructure.

“I am truly delighted by the additional funding allocated to enhance library technology and accessibility here in our home of Champaign-Urbana, made possible by the recent budget I supported this Spring,” said State Representative Carol Ammons (103rd District—Urbana). “Both the Champaign Public Library and Urbana Free Library will receive just over $180,000, which will enrich library experiences and services for community members of all ages, young and old. Literacy unlocks wonder and curiosity in all of us, and I’m pleased that this funding will become a reality for my community.”

Libraries in the district serve over 185,000 people.

“Libraries throughout the state must have the resources and financial support they need to provide high-quality materials and programming to Illinois residents,” Giannoulias said. “Libraries serve as centers for lifelong learning and are critical to providing opportunities for children and adults to enrich their lives.”

The Public Library Per Capita Grants are awarded annually to support local public library services. This year, public libraries received just under $1.50 per person in their service area. Public libraries can use this funding for operational needs, including purchasing materials for their library collections and making capital improvements to their facilities.

Under the new technology grant initiative, eligible public libraries were determined by a review of their local tax base in comparison to the population that is served and also the poverty level of the community.

"Libraries are more than just a place for books—they offer engaging programs and are essential for learning and success at every stage of life," said State Senator Paul Faraci (52nd District—Champaign). "By investing in our libraries, we're investing in our students, adult learners, and the entire community."

Libraries have a two-year window to utilize technology grants for various purposes. These include acquiring hardware and software, expanding online collections and e-resources, purchasing digital devices and mobile apps, enhancing Wi-Fi capacity and internet accessibility, implementing patron self-checkouts, ensuring ADA compliance for library websites, and procuring adaptive technologies to meet the service needs of individuals with disabilities.

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City of Urbana application window open for government rescue plan dollars

URBANA -- Applications for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds available through the City of Urbana are accepted now through November 16. Urbana has $12.97 million to distribute to help those affected by the Coronavirus pandemic that started in March 2020.

"The city is seeking applications for organizations that will provide services meeting the funding goals. Rather than households or businesses seeking individual assistance, applicants should be organizations who will use the funds to facilitate one of the funding goals," according to the City of Urbana website.

The goals include:

Public Health and Safety

Improve accessibility of public recreation space and youth programming
Increase support for community violence interventions

Adequate and Affordable Housing

Reduce housing costs for those that need it most

Human Rights and Social Services

Increase availability and affordability of mental health services
Increase availability and affordability of food

Economic Recovery and Development

Increase job training and placement opportunities
Provide relief and support for local businesses

Sustainable Infrastructure

Invest in infrastructure to increase community health, safety, and future resilience

In the city's distribution plan, individuals or families that need help paying rent or businesses desiring assistance covering their expenses do not qualify for the program. Instead, funding from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program, a component of the ARPA passed in March 2021, will be given to organizations with programs that assist with individual housing or provide small business assistance. There is no minimum or maximum funding amount, and the money can be utilized to cover expenses necessary to meet the city's stated goals.

Participating organizations can use the money for "facility investments, personnel, direct assistance to community members, internal capacity building, and administrative costs."

To apply for funding go to https://ccrpc.gitlab.io/urbana-arpa/apply/.

Crisis Nursery to host Pinwheel Garden for fundraiser

SPRINGFIELD -- The Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery will host a Pinwheel Garden next month in April for National Child Abuse Prevention Month to raise awareness and funds to provide crisis childcare to those most at risk of abuse and neglect.

Executive director Jen McMillin issued a challenge to the Springfield community offering highlight her hair blue if the Nursery raises $1,000. If the Nursery raises $5,000 during the month of April, McMillin pledges to dye her whole head blue.

"Child Abuse Prevention Month is a short time each year, and we want to draw the most attention to the issue of neglect and abuse as possible," she said in a press release. "We want to highlight the importance of protective factors, including the use of crisis nurseries, every month. This hairdo will help us remember CAP month into the summer, and draw attention to this important issue."

Research shows the risk for neglect and abuse diminishes, and optimal outcomes for children, youth, and families are promoted with proper support services. These support services include increasing parenting tools, knowledge of child development, parental resilience, social connections, and concrete support.

The Pinwheel Garden is one of the many fundraisers Mini O’Beirne hosts annually to support the work of the organization. Each year, the Nursery provides crisis care for over 1,400 families and numerous supplies through the basic needs pantry. To host a pinwheel, you can make a tax-deductible donation to Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery here: https://bit.ly/MOCN2022.

To learn more about the other crisis nurseries in Illinois, please visit https://cncoalitionil.org/. There are nurseries located in Springfield, Urbana, Bloomington, Effingham, Rockford, Peoria, and Chicago. For more information about crisis nurseries in general, visit the Center for Crisis Nurseries at https://www.crisisnurseries.org/.

Philo Exchange Bank to host community shred day in May

The Philo Exchange Bank will host a Community Shred Day in Philo on May 1 at 401 N Lincoln.

The staff will accept up to five boxes or bags of material per person to be shredded during the hours from 9 to 11am.

Depositors are ask to bring non-perishable food or canned goods to donate to their food drive. Free snacks will be available.

Visitors can also spin the Philo Exchange Bank wheel to win prizes during the two hour event. The grand prize is a programable multi-cooker. Other prizes include gift cards, uChoose Rewards Points, wireless bluetooth earpods, Philo Exchange Bank swag, and other items.

For more information call (217) 684-5500.

Giving Place in Tolono is looking for spring and summer wear

Despite restriction allowing clients inside, the Giving Place continued to help those in need of clothing this winter. Now that spring is here and summer is on the way, they are now accepting gently used, cleaned ready-to-hang spring and summer clothing.

The organization does not have laundry facilities to remove stains or pet hair and ask items as such not be left with them. They also ask not to submit torn or ripped clothing as they don't have the capacity to repair them.

Donated clothing items can be drop off on Wednesday 4-6p at 113 N Bourne St in Tolono. Anyone with donation can also call (217) 649-1389 to arrange convenient time to drop off so they can be placed inside the building. The Giving Place asks that donation not left on the front steps to the building.

Angel Tree is back at the Apothecary in St. Joseph

With the help of staff members in the school district, St. Joseph Women's Community Club goes to work to help Santa spread the joy of the Christmas holiday and put smiles on the faces of kids in St. Joseph thanks to the warmth and generosity of their friends and neighbors. Last week, the local organization that has been serving the community for 68 years, set up the "Angel Tree" at the St. Joseph Apothecary in downtown St. Joseph hoping to make this holiday season a little brighter for families throughout the village.

"We get names of families from the schools, we talk to the family and get ideas for gifts and sizes on clothes, the community buys the gifts," Brooks Bennett-Miller told The Sentinel last week. "The Women's Club wraps the gifts and organizes for the families by child. We provide a ham and all the necessary items for the family to prepare a holiday dinner with sides and dessert. Plus, we buy each child a pair of holiday pajamas."

She said each family also receives an El Toro gift card and a Casey gift card for gas.

"The families are always so appreciative," she added. "When the parents come pick up their gifts and meals is so heartwarming as they are often overcome with emotion on what the community has come together to do to help a fellow neighbor."

The way the Angel Tree works is anyone willing to help can stop in the Apothecary and choose an ornament for a child who lives in the community. The donor purchases the item listed on the ornament and brings back to the store. The buyer simply deposits the unwrapped gift into a box next to the tree with the receipt and ornament attached to it by 1pm on December 12.

The Women's Club will take it from there. The ladies will sort and wrap the gifts for each family and deliver them along the food basket to enjoy a wonderful holiday dinner.

For those who would like help but are unable to shop, they can make a monetary donation for any unclaimed ornaments or towards the food baskets by calling Bennet-Miller (217) 474-1068. The Women's Club can also be reached by message via Facebook or by email at sjwcc61873@gmail.com. Any member of the Women's Club will gladly help collect your donation or answer any questions.

"This has been a tough year so what better time to be an Angel to someone else?"

Scouts to rake leaves in St. Joseph

St. Joseph resident Owen Yohnka is organizing a leaf raking service project for the community. Between now and October 30, Pack 40 and Troop 40 will rake leaves for homeowners who would like their assistance.

"It's always good to help out your neighbors," Yohnka said. "The Troop used to do this years ago. This is my first time doing this."

The scouts have done similar service projects including garbage pick up along the Trail Rail and clean up after the Fall Community Festival. They also place the flags at the high school and cemetery for Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Veterans Day.

The service is being offered to anyone who need help raking their leaves. Yohnka said residents are encouraged to send their name and address or contact information for someone who would appreciate the help via email at pack40stjoseph@gmail.com. Questions regarding the raking services can be sent to this email address, too.

The service is set up to be a contact-less service for homeowners or residents. After receiving an email request, a scout and their family will visit the property over the next few weeks to rake leaves for the village to vacuum away.

"We will just show up during the date range provided and rake the leaves in a nice straight pile along the road," Yohnka wrote in a post on Facebook announcing the service.