Murrysville Community Library awarded nearly $350,000 to fund accessibility and broadband-focused renovations

The Murrysville Community Library was awarded nearly $350,000 through the Multipurpose Community Facilities Program, a competitive grant funded under the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, library representative Kat Nadege told the Borough Council on May 7.

The grant from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority "approved a total of $45,000,000 to community anchor institutions and units of local government for community projects to construct, acquire, or improve facilities that are or will be open to the public," Nadege said. She described planned renovations aimed at expanding access to broadband services for teens, senior patrons, workers and patrons with disabilities.

Under the proposal, the library will: repair and level the concrete entryway; update or install handicap door mechanisms on main entrances and bathrooms; install three "quiet rooms" for private study, telehealth and video conferencing; replace shelving to make space for the quiet rooms; and replace carpeting in adult and teen areas. Nadege said the library will also purchase new furniture to promote use of Wi-Fi inside the building and in the parking lot.

"The Murrysville Community Library was recently awarded nearly $350,000 as part of the Multipurpose Community Facilities Program," Nadege said during her presentation, and she showed a schematic to the council and public outlining the planned changes.

Nadege said technology upgrades are part of the plan in coordination with the Westmoreland Community Libraries system. She reported that on May 4 the system doubled the library's internet bandwidth "from 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps," and that staff have begun conversations about improving cellular coverage inside the building.

Residents asked about potential amenities and equipment. One resident asked whether the library might operate a coffee shop similar to programs at nearby schools; Nadege said such an amenity was "on our wish list" but likely would not be funded by this grant. Another asked whether the quiet rooms would include video-conferencing equipment; Nadege said that hardwired conferencing equipment is not planned now but could be added later if funding is found. She said the rooms will have hookups so visitors can bring laptops.

She told the council that more information about the grant is available through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and invited community feedback by distributing a short survey.

The grant and renovations were presented for council information during the May 7 meeting; no formal council action on grant acceptance or project contract awards was recorded in the transcript of that meeting.