This week, Merced County learned that it successfully secured an additional $2.7 million to be used toward upgrading the Dos Palos branch of the Merced County Library.

This funding is complimented by another recent award of $3 million in the state’s Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget. That allocation was secured by Senator Anna Caballero, with support from Assemblyman Adam Gray, following a funding request submitted by Merced County. Originally intended for the library, the budget language was updated to allow for the funding to also be used for renovating the Del Hale Hall Community Center, which will neighbor the new library.

The latest funding was secured through the California State Library’s highly-competitive “Building Forward Library Improvement Grant Program.” Merced County’s award of $2,763,093 will be used to relocate the Dos Palos library branch from its current location at the corner of Golden Gate Avenue and Almond Street to its planned location at O’Banion Park, next to Del Hale Hall Community Center.

The current Dos Palos library branch was built in 1963 and has major structural and accessibility issues. It is the only library within a 17-mile radius. The new 3,561 square-foot library is “shovel-ready,” and the County hopes to complete construction within two years. It will serve as a location for residents to apply for jobs and benefits, access literacy programs, and learn.

Supervisor Scott Silveira, whose District 5 includes Dos Palos, said both 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. “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.”

Board of Supervisors Chairman Lloyd Pareira said this funding is part of a larger effort to bring much-needed upgrades to communities throughout Merced County.

“There are several parks, community facilities, and other types of public infrastructure throughout Merced County that are in need of major upgrades,” Pareira 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.”

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 future renovations to O’Banion Park. Merced County is currently exploring options to fund the park renovations.