ILLINOIS — Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White awarded $464,469 in FY20 Project Next Generation (PNG) grants to 29 public libraries statewide.

Libraries in our area that will receive a grant are the Carbondale Public Library, the Centralia Regional Library District, the Marion Carnegie Library and the Harrisburg Public Library District.

PNG is a mentoring program administered through Illinois public libraries. Project mentors work with middle and high school students to use various technologies, achieve success through project-based learning and gain life skills such as effective communication, goal setting and conflict resolution.

Projects were awarded grants from the Illinois State Library using federal Library Services and Technology Act funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.