CLARION, Pa. – The Clarion Free Library was awarded a grant of $25,000 from the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund (WPPSEF) to retrofit and replace the interior lighting at the library’s Main St. location.

  The interior lighting project is the first part of a multi-phase plan to increase energy efficiency and lower operating costs at the public library.

The interior lighting project was recommended in an energy audit the library had commissioned in 2013; by retrofitting existing lighting fixtures and replacing those that are severely out-of-date, overall electric usage and cost will decline. 

“Clarion Free Library has been struggling maintain high quality library service in light of raising costs and stagnant state funding,” said Dan Parker, Executive Director of Clarion Free Library. “Managing energy costs is a key to the long term sustainability of public libraries.” 

Lowering electricity cost will allow the library to devote more funds to its core mission–the purchase of library materials and the provision of educational and cultural programs.  This grant is the second partnership between the library and WPPSEF.  The fund previously had made the grant that paid for the library’s energy audit.

“We were pleased to assist Clarion Free Library in implementing its energy efficiency plan.” said Joel Morrison of WPPSEF. “The promotion of energy efficiency and public education are central to our mission.” 

The project, expected to be completed by mid-July.  No disruption to library patrons is expected.