USDA Rural Development State Director Maxine Moul met Thursday with Head Librarian Heather Koeneke at the Auburn Memorial Library to tour the library’s expansion project.  The USDA Rural Development Community Facility Loan and Grant program helped fund the project.  The construction site visit coincided with the release by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack of the Agency’s Community Facility report.  It highlights ways in which Community Facilities loans and grants have helped rural communities provide essential services and improve local infrastructure since the start of the Obama Administration.
     Moul called it exciting to be in Auburn and see the library addition taking shape,”.  She said the addition will meet the library’s needs of today and for a long time.”
     USDA Rural Development provided a loan of $100,000 and a grant of $56,590 to the Auburn Memorial Library Foundation, Inc.  Leveraged funds of $265,590 from the Foundation and $75,000 from the Peter Kiewit Foundation completed the needed funding.
     The Auburn Memorial Library is adding 1,340 square feet due to the increased use of the library. The expansion includes adding a youth services collection and reading area, and a new Director’s office.  The relocation of youth services will allow for expansion of the adult collection.  Part of the existing office will be converted into a workroom and the other part will be the walkway into the new addition.  Equipment will also be purchased with the funds.  Mechanical and electrical systems will be upgraded in the new mechanical/electrical room.  The library serves 3,350 rural residents.
     This facility is one of several projects under construction in Nebraska, supported by funds from the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities program.  Among them is the Table Rock Historical Society building. Other recent ribbon cuttings have included the Pawnee City Library.