Baldwin library to receive $100K state grant for HVAC upgrades

The Baldwin Public Library will receive a $100,000 state grant to use toward replacement of its HVAC ventilation system, which, according to library officials, was "hanging on by the skin of its teeth."

"We're very happy with this amount," said Maria Sysak, director of the Baldwin library. Sysak said library officials applied for the grant to help cover the cost of the roughly $200,000 project. But because the state is experiencing financial troubles and the library's current HVAC system was in dire need of repair, officials decided to go it alone. At this juncture, the project is nearly complete, Sysak added, but the grant money would cut the library's share of the cost in half. "We knew we had to [replace the HVAC system], whether paying it totally or not."

With summer approaching, Sysak said she was confident the new HVAC system would be up and running to help keep the library goers cool. Said Sysak, "We'll have a very comfortable summer."