Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R, C, I, SAM, ROS-Mahopac) is pleased to announce that Reed Memorial Library in the town of Carmel is receiving an additional $25,000 in state aid directed by his office through the State Education Department’s bullet aid program in order to assist with the library’s restoration and other needed capital improvements. Reed Memorial Library was provided the funding earlier this fall and is currently using this additional assistance from taxpayers to repair and restore various aspects of the 107-year-old building. According to the library’s website, their building is the oldest library building in Putnam County, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Using the funds that were secured with the help of Assemblyman Byrne, Library Director Jeanne Buck was able to allocate the funds to address several aspects of the building. The state aid is being used to repair and restore the library’s slate roof, flat roof, and skylight, resetting the loose coping stones along the ends of the parapet walls on the roof of the building, repairing cracks in the chimney, repairing the ceiling and plasterwork damaged by roof leaks, and replacing the library’s sign in the front of the building.
“Our public libraries are vital parts of our communities which provide fundamental services to our neighbors by serving as a safe place to meet and socialize, while also working to close gaps in education and literacy regardless of person’s age, background, or financial means,” said Byrne. “Periodically, these libraries need assistance to make improvements that help them connect with today’s youth and modern readers. With these funds, Reed Memorial Library can make the changes that are necessary to continue to spread knowledge and promote learning throughout our community. I thank them for their continued commitment to the people of Carmel and Putnam County, and I look forward to seeing their capital improvement projects completed.”
“The library building is a treasured community resource which has been enjoyed by several generations in Putnam County,” said Jeanne Buck, Library Director of Reed Memorial Library. “With these funds, we can properly care for it and by doing so we are making an investment in our community’s future. Thank you to Assemblyman Byrne for his part in helping to obtain the funding that makes this a reality.”
The above information was previously distributed and made public for immediate release by the Office of Assemblyman Kevin Byrne