Peace Dale Library Upgrades Advancing with $700,000 Secured by Reed & Magaziner
WAKEFIELD, RI – Thanks to a federal earmark secured by U.S. Senator Jack Reed and Congressman Seth Magaziner, South Kingstown’s most utilized public library is moving forward with planning much-needed renovations to transform underutilized spaces and create multipurpose community gathering places for learning, reading, working, and more.
Today, Senator Reed and Congressman Magaziner joined with town officials, librarians, staff, and community members at Peace Dale Library to celebrate a $700,000 federal earmark secured by Reed and Magaziner in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations law for renovations at the historic library.
The federal funds will be used by the library to create a new, fully accessible community space with free and reliable high-speed internet access, flex meeting spaces, independent workstations, and dedicated teaching spaces. Renovations will also include HVAC upgrades and reconfiguration of safety features like lighting and sprinkler systems.
“Public libraries are about so much more than books. They are places where Rhode Islanders can unlock opportunities, discover new passions, and create new connections,” said Senator Reed, the leading champion of public libraries in Congress. “This federal funding for Peace Dale Library and the South Kingstown community will help create excited new spaces to explore, learn, and develop new skills. I was glad to work with Congressman Magaziner on this, and I look forward to seeing these renovations, improvements, and upgrades being implemented with input and guidance from library patrons, librarians, staff, and residents.”
“The Peace Dale Library is an invaluable resource that provides Rhode Islanders with a safe and welcoming place to read, work and learn,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner. “I am proud to help secure federal funding to renovate the library and create more community spaces for Rhode Islanders to come together.”
“Library programming focused on workforce growth, health monitoring and educational support will have a tremendous impact on our residents and our community,” said Town Manager James Manni. “Thanks to this federal funding, we’ll be able to enhance the space dedicated within the Peace Dale Library for our Community Learning Center program, while also expanding our offerings.”
South Kingstown will now need to complete federal compliance documentation with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) before the funds can be expended.
The $700,000 earmark for Peace Dale Library will compliment $2,520,044 from the American Rescue Plan Act that was allocated to the library in April. Those federal funds will support “robust public internet access, digital literacy navigation assistance, education support, and workforce preparedness assistance.”
The building now known as the Peace Dale Library first opened in 1891 and today serves as the largest and most utilized public library by the community within the South Kingstown library system, which also includes the Kingston Free Library and the Robert Beverly Hale Library.
The library is currently collecting public feedback to ensure renovations and upgrades best fit the needs of the community.
