Decked out in new carpeting and energy efficient shades, the Lehighton Memorial Library now sports a new look.

But all that wouldn’t have been possible if not for a $21,618 Local Share Account Grant the library received recently.

Several library board members — and one past board member — proudly accepted a check in that amount on Monday.

Kathy Henderson, director of economic development for the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, said the grant was obtained with the assistance of the CCEDC from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Henderson said the grant covered the costs of asbestos abatement and other needed upgrades to the library. She said asbestos tiles were removed, new carpeting was installed, and energy efficient shades have been added.

“I’m more than excited to be here and help,” Henderson said.

Library board member Jane Roberts said the district is grateful the library was able to receive the grant.

“We are delighted,” Roberts said. “This is absolutely fantastic for us.”

Roberts said that in addition to Henderson and the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, the library also wanted to thank Heffley and Yudichak for their assistance in helping to secure the grant.

“We are located in the downtown area, and we can offer services to people,” she said. “It gives us a much more welcoming space and larger space.”

The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act as amended has established the Pennsylvania Gaming Local Share Account under the Commonwealth Financing Authority for the purpose of distributing 2 percent of gross terminal revenues of certain licensed gaming facilities in an orderly and timely fashion to support and enhance community and economic well-being and mitigate the impact of gaming and related activities.

The funds may be used for economic development, community development and public interest projects in Monroe County and the following counties contiguous to Monroe: Carbon, Lackawanna, Northampton, Pike and Wayne.

Eligible applicants include any municipality in Monroe County as well as those counties and municipalities contiguous to Monroe. Economic Development and redevelopment authorities in those counties are also eligible.

The library reopened last month following a three-week hiatus for the repairs.

Library Director Melissa Hawk previously said the library plans to use a Keystone Grant it received in the amount of $169,699 toward a building addition.

That grant will be used for the construction project which includes the 1,433-square-foot addition for youth services, community room and two ADA restrooms.

Hawk said the addition will give the library many more options as far as programs are concerned, more space for the programs, and make it easier for people to come and spend time at the library.

She said it will also allow the library to move all of the children’s items into another area, give the library more room in the current area for adults to stay and be able to read, and the community room will give them a private place to meet.

Hawk said the library will also be open to community groups so that they also have another option of where to meet in the community.

She noted that because it’s a matching grant, the library will have to contribute about $170,000 to help meet the $340,000 project cost.

Hawk said the library has money that people have given over the years, and added the library planned to launch a capital campaign to cover extra costs such as furnishings.

Twenty-seven public libraries in 18 counties were awarded $6.8 million in Keystone Grants to use toward improving physical facilities.

The Lehighton Area Memorial Library is open from 4-7 p.m. on Mondays, 1-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

For more information, visit www.lehightonlibrary.com.