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Library renovation dependent on grant

The application is in.

Now, the Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library will have to wait until late May or early June to find out if it has secured money through a Community Focus Fund grant from the state Office of Community and Rural Affairs to go toward its $500,000 renovation project.

Nancy Disbro, Andrews librarian, said that the library's application received a boost through support from the community.

"Our application is strong on the local match part because of the county and town's contributions," Disbro said.

Disbro added that at least 635 hours of volunteer time has been committed to the project by local residents, making the application even stronger. Those volunteers will participate in some of the construction/renovation work, such as landscaping.

However, Disbro said that the library is still competing with other proposals across Indiana, pitting Andrews against numerous other communities.

"We were told by the grant administrator that this was a competitive application," Disbro said.

In the event that the library does not receive funding, Disbro said the library will re-apply for the grant in the fall and that many projects receive funding on the second shot.

This type of grant is the same program that helped the Mt. Etna Volunteer Fire Department construct its new fire station that opened this year. The Mt. Etna VFD also had to submit its application twice, winning funding on the second try.

In addition to local government contributions, the library board has worked hard to raise money on its own as part of the local match for the grant. Most recently, the library held a craft-bake-rummage sale in mid-March, which Disbro said made a significant profit for the library.

The library also hopes to hold a bingo event in the near future for additional funds.

The proposed expansion would add significant floor space on the east side of the library and make the 85-year-old building handicap accessible with ramps and an elevator.