Mississippi Reaps Largest
Public Library Bond Issue
Mississippi libraries will benefit from $13 million in capital improvement bonds—the largest amount ever appropriated by the state legislature for public libraries.
The Mississippi Library Commission was informed by the State Bond Commission January 23 that $10 million in bonds approved by the legislature in 1999 had been sold and the funds available for distribution. The legislature approved an additional $3 million in 2000. That money will be awarded to public libraries in June for additional projects to be funded in December.
“These state and local funds will mean a new or expanded meeting room for the community, a children’s room that is built for a specific service purpose, or a new library building with the latest technological capabilities,” said Jane Smith, Mississippi Library Commission special projects director.
Unlike most bond programs, the capital improvement bonds for public libraries require a 60–40 state-local match. More than $26.5 million in local money will generate a total of $26.6 million for 96 capital improvement projects that include new construction, repair and renovation, furniture and equipment, and technology.
Posted January 29, 2001.
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