Dos Palos library project gets $2.7 million funding boost. ‘This is a major win’

Funding for the Dos Palos library project was nearly doubled this week with the injection of an extra $2.7 million, Merced County announced Tuesday.

The new funds were secured the California State Library’s highly competitive Building Forward Library Improvement Grant Program, according to a county news release.

The more than $2.7 million in grant dollars awarded will be leveraged to relocate the Dos Palos library branch from its current location at the corner of Golden Gate Avenue and Almond Street to its new home at O’Banion Park, next to Del Hale Hall Community Center.

The current Dos Palos branch of the Merced County Library was constructed in 1963. The building has major structural and accessibility issues but is the only library within a 17-mile radius, the release said.

The project is part of an overall effort to bring much-needed upgrades to communities throughout Merced County, Board of Supervisors Chairman Lloyd Pareira said in the release.

“There are several parks, community facilities, and other types of public infrastructure throughout Merced County that are in need of major upgrades,” he said. “While there may not be enough local resources to complete this work in the immediate term, we’ve made a point of fighting for grant funding, are we’re seeing those efforts pay off significantly.”

Hopeful estimates for completing the new 3,561 square-foot library approximate a two year timeline to finish the project. The site is currently shovel-ready, the release said.

Once completed, the new library will serve as a location for residents to apply for jobs and benefits, access literacy programs, and learn new skills and knowledge.

The new funding almost doubles the project’s previous award of $3 million, included as part of the 2022-23 state budget.

That prior allocation was facilitated by Senator Anna Caballero, D-Merced, with support from Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, following a funding request submitted by the county. In addition to building the new library, those funds will also be used to renovate the Del Hale Hall Community Center.

The renovation of the Del Hale Hall Community Center and replacement of the Dos Palos library branch is part of a larger project that also includes planned renovations at O’Banion Park. The county is currently exploring options to fund the park renovations, the release said.

Supervisor Scott Silveira, whose District 5 includes Dos Palos, said each of the funding awards are the culmination of hard work and perseverance by the county and community as a whole.

“This is a major win for the residents in and around Dos Palos, and they certainly deserve it,” Silveira said in the release. “I’d like to personally thank California State Librarian Greg Lucas for this grant opportunity, as well as Senator Anna Caballero, whose budget allocation will now be used toward renovating Del Hale Hall—another critically-important community facility.”