Chautauqua County libraries were among a state wide list set to receive state funding for construction projects.

The New York State Education Department announced Friday 230 public libraries would receive funding for construction and renovation related projects. The state aid totalled $24 million. The State Education Department cited constructing new buildings, building additions, updating electrical wiring and computer technology, improving broadband infrastructure, meeting energy efficiency standards, renovating facilities to provide full accessibility to library users with disabilities and providing meeting spaces to accommodate community needs as to what the state aid will help fund.

The following libraries in Chautauqua County received funding: Ashville Free Library, $13,521 for interior renovations; Bemus Point Public Library, $12,866 for replacing its HVAC system; Blount Library in Franklinville, $27,385 for exterior renovations; Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System, $6,002 for new collaborative office space; Darwin R. Barker Library Association in Fredonia, $44,834 for installing public bathrooms, windows and a new HVAC unit; Hazeltine Memorial Library in Busti, $7,575 for upgrading air conditioning units; Lakewood Memorial Library, $65,704 for installing solar panels and outdoor renovations; Myers Memorial Library, $104,606 for expanding kids and teens space.

Western New York as a whole received $2,081,445 in state aid.

“New York’s libraries are in urgent need of renovation and upgrading to meet the increasing needs of the children, families and adults they serve every day,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa. “These funds are not just investments in our public libraries but investments in our communities.”