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SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The City of San Bernardino has announced that it has received a $6.4 million grant from the California State Library to improve the Norman F. Feldheym Library. The Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Grant will fund energy efficiency projects and building upgrades at Feldheym Library.
“Feldheym Library is a great facility, but it needs some repairs and upgrades to maintain the library experience for the thousands of patrons that visit us every year,” said San Bernardino Library Director Ed Erjavek. “We are excited to receive this grant from the State.”
San Bernardino was one of thirty-four local libraries across the state to receive a total of $172 million in competitive grant funding. The funding was approved in 2022 by the Governor and Legislature to improve libraries in low-income areas. The grant application was submitted by the Library in collaboration with the City Grants Division and Public Works Department.
“It’s great that the State Library can provide this opportunity for California libraries to address critical maintenance and accessibility needs. The return on investment in our local libraries is always big,” said California State Librarian Greg Lucas.
Improvements planned for Feldheym Library include a replacement of the HVAC and air filtration system, ADA accessibility upgrades, energy efficient windows, a new security system, electrical upgrades, a backup power generator, and additional repairs to the library interior and foundation. The work is expected to take place in 2024.
Last month, the San Bernardino Public Library also received a grant from the State Library to upgrade its broadband capabilities for staff and patrons to one gigabit at all four City libraries.
The Norman F. Feldheym Central Library opened in 1985. The library was named in honor of the late Rabbi Norman F. Feldheym. The 64,000 square foot library was designed by architects Gregory Villanueva and Oscar Arnoni and includes the 200 seat Bing Wong auditorium, where the San Bernardino Mayor and City Council currently hold their meetings.
