Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White awarded public libraries $14.2 million in per-capita grants this year. From this grant money, DeKalb Public Library will receive $48,000, and the Sycamore Public Library will receive $14,000.

Dee Cover, the adult services supervisor of the DeKalb library, said the money will go toward automated licenses, tech support, furniture and office supplies.

According to Cover, the automated license program is required for all libraries in the state to catalog books. The library will also be receiving tech support and consultation from Lighthouse Technologies. The rest of the money will pay for audio/visual supplies, DVD security devices, new chairs and possibly remodeling the staff lounge.

Sycamore Public Library has similar plans for the $14,000 grant.

“We’re putting all of our money toward library materials for child and adult services and electronic access for research for our patrons,” said Director Sarah Tobias.

In addition, the library will put money toward online databases such as EBSCO and Opposing Viewpoints. The money also will go toward buying books and periodicals.

“The annual grant is planned into our budget. [It] encompasses just under 2 percent of our total budget,” Tobias said.

The DeKalb library also figured in the grant money when determining the budget.

“Every year we have applied for the per capita, and every year we have received it,” said Pat Adams, head of technical services for the DeKalb Public Library.

Patrons of the DeKalb library would like to see the money go toward a variety of different things.

“It’s only $48,000 — I think space needs is the biggest concerns, but that won’t get you much space. But other than that, just more Internet access, it’s very popular. Kids come in after school when they have free time to check the Internet,” said DeKalb resident Jim Schneider.

A few residents say the library isn’t lacking in anything.

DeKalb Resident Gene St. Louis said the library is “not missing anything.”

Fellow Resident Linda Williams agreed, “[It’s] not missing anything, and it’s pretty good.”