The Illinois Quad-Cities is set to receive more than $300,000 in state-backed grants to enhance local library programs and adult literacy. 

These grants aim to support day-to-day library operations, improve online catalogues, expand interlibrary loan programs and equip visually-impaired individuals with narrations of newspaper content. They were awarded by Illinois State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias. Illinois’ Secretary of State serves as its state librarian. 

The literacy grants come as part of the state’s Adult Volunteer Literacy Grant program, which helps adults who read below ninth-grade proficiency levels or are English language learners improve their basic reading, writing and math skills via instruction from volunteer tutors. 

Quad-Cities area awardees include:

• Augustana Public Radio Information Service (APRIS): $28,613
• Black Hawk College:$49,000
• Moline Public Library: $16,000
• Regional Office of Education 33 (Henderson, Knox, Mercer and Warren counties): $172,153
• Rock Island Public Library: $5,950
• Western Illinois University Board of Trustees: $36,968

"Our libraries and their programs underpin a community where everyone has access to resources to bolster their education," State Sen. Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) said in a Tuesday press release. "With this funding, our neighbors will be able to continue their efforts in improving their reading, writing, math and English literacy skills."

In total, Illinois awarded nearly $22 million to library services and $6 million to literacy programs across the state. 

"Equipping our libraries with the resources they need to increase services and expand offerings is essential to enhancing the accessibility of learning materials for all Illinois residents regardless of their geographic location, accessibility needs, income status or educational level," Giannoulias said in the release. "Meanwhile, increasing the state’s literacy level results in opportunities for individual success and makes communities stronger."