Shelter Rock Public Library members can continue to download free music and check out e-books thanks to a second consecutive state grant.
The $20,000 in state funds will pay for the library’s subscriptions to the Freegal music service and the OverDrive Advantage, a digital book library, state Sen. Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury) announced on Aug. 11.
The library will also use the money to buy Launchpads, tablet computers pre-loaded with educational apps and games for kids.
“Enabling the library to continue providing free access to these services and purchase additional technology will benefit the entire community,” said Martins, who is running for Congress in the North Shore’s 3rd Congressional District.
The money comes from a $15 million state Senate package of “bullet aid” for schools and libraries that was approved in June 2015.
A $25,000 bullet aid grant in January 2015 provided the initial funds for the library to subscribe to Freegal, which has about 11 million songs available for library patrons to download free. It also funded the library’s access to the Nassau Digital Doorway Advantage e-book program.
“Our patrons greatly appreciate access to the Nassau Digital Doorway Advantage E-book Program and the Freegal service,” Andrea Meluskey, the library’s director, said in a statement.
The Shelter Rock Public Library, which serves Albertson, New Hyde Park, Manhasset Hills, Roslyn Heights and Garden City Park, got a $100,000 state grant in 2013 for capital improvements at its Searingtown Road building.
