The Galesburg Public Library has been awarded the funds that will make constructing a new library on the corner of Main and Academy Streets a reality.
GPL Director Noelle Thompson announced the $15.3 million award on Monday that will fund 75 percent of construction.
The library was approved for the grant in 2013 when Harriet Zipfel was library director, but the General Assembly did not appropriate funds to the Public Library Construction Act Grant program.
The new building will be 85% larger than the current library.
The properties currently standing on the block are all owned by the library and will be demolished in the coming weeks. Construction should begin soon after, and the new library building will open its doors in early 2023.
