Useful IL state library grant getting burdensome for smallest libraries

It’s getting to the point where Katie Kennell, the librarian at the compact Lostant Community Library, has to wonder whether it’s worth her time to continue to apply for the Illinois State Library’s per capita grant.
This year the library will receive $1,093.

She told The Times the money is useful — it funds the summer reading program for Lostant kids. But it is coming with an increasing number of strings.