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For Immediate Release
October 20, 1998
White Announces Grants for Butler County Bookmobile, Gaiser
Addiction Center
Harrisburg – State Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) today announced the awarding
of two grants to help bring library services to underserved areas of Butler
County and fund repairs at the Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Addiction Center in
Butler.
A grant of $15,000 was awarded to the Butler County Federated Library
System and will be used to help pay for the new bookmobile, White said.
Public donations have also been raised for the project. The senator noted that 44 percent of Butler County’s population is not
served by a permanent library. More than 80 percent of the bookmobile users
are moderate-to-low-income persons. "Access to books and other educational tools is an essential part of
the learning process," White said. "I am pleased that Butler county residents
who do not have a local library will be able to receive library services
through the use of the bookmobile." White said the bookmobile carries adult and young adult fiction and
nonfiction, large print books and books-on-tape, children’s books, videos,
magazines, other reference materials, and more. It also includes two laptop computers that are linked to BCLNet, the
countywide automated library network, she added. The Butler County Federated Library System serves the entire county,
and consists of seven public libraries, an administrative office, a bookmobile
and an extension services department. A $10,000 grant will be used to pay for repairs to the community living
area of the Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Addiction Center, said White. The repairs
will correct problems reported during a state Health Department site review
last December. White said the state will not renew the center’s license if the repairs
aren’t made within two to three years. Some of the items that need to be
replaced or renovated include doors, windows, bathrooms, and kitchen and
laundry areas. The total cost of the work is $44,250. "This grant will allow the center to continue providing drug and
alcohol treatment services to the Butler community," said White. The grants were awarded by the state Department of Community and Economic
Development through its Community Revitalization Program. The competitive
grant program supports local initiatives that will improve the stability
of a community and enhance local economic conditions.
CONTACT: Leigh Ramsey (717) 787-9684
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