Lexington Moore Public Library receives state grant for expansion project

Patrons of the Moore Public Library will soon be able to enjoy more space after the library received a state grant for expansion.

The Moore Public Library, located at 7239 Huron Ave. in Lexington, has been trying to expand since 2019. Earlier this year, the library board applied for the Revitalization and Placemaking program. The program, funded through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, awarded 22 organizations in three separate categories. The library received one of 10 awards in the Public Space category.

“It is just beyond our wildest dreams that we were chosen and it such an honor,” said Liz Jackson, chairperson of the Moore Public Library Expansion Fundraiser Committee.

The library will receive $572,366 through the grant.

The Moore Public Library plans to expand into the vacant building next to it. The library purchased the building in 2019. The increased space would allow the library to increase shelf space, add seating, add new computers and create a new community room.

“Our current library is very small and overcrowded,” Jackson said. “Expanding will more than double our space.”

To apply for the grant, the library had to show it was economically affected by COVID-19. During the peak of the pandemic, the library’s fundraising efforts for its expansion project were put on pause. Since then, the overall cost of the expansion has changed due to increased costs of materials.

Before the pandemic, the project would have cost around $850,000. The total cost of the library expansion is now estimated to be $1 million.

“It was an enormous project to even submit an application for the grant,” Jackson said. “Our grant writing team worked diligently on it.”

The grant writing team consisted of Jackie Huepenbecker, Brenda Esele, Beth Schumacher, Gayle Picot, Mike Magee, and Linda and Kent France.

In addition to the grant, the library has received close to $400,000 in donations. The Sanilac County Community Foundation, Jeff’s Marketplace, The Town Shoppe and private individuals have all sent funding to the library. Jackson said she is happy to have support from the community.

“This really has been a community-wide project,” she said.

The library will continue fundraising efforts until the total cost of the project is covered.

Jackson said a requirement of the grant is to use the entire amount of money by 2026. Since receiving the grant, she expects to begin construction in winter and finish it around 2024. Construction will include connecting the two buildings, installing an elevator, and updating plumbing and electricity wiring.

The Moore Public Library was the only library selected to receive grant money.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or (810) 292-0122.