BERNE — A grant submitted a year ago for the Berne Public Library to repair its roof and install LED lights has recently been approved. The library will be given $17,636 in state aid designated to help public libraries with construction projects.

The library building, on Helderberg Trail at the edge of the Berne hamlet, was once St. Bernadette’s Church, and while the interior has been renovated, exterior items like the roof  have not yet been refurbished, said library manager Kathy Stempel.

The grant will fund repairs and a recoating of the roof, she said. She hopes the repairs will help with issues such as a leak she suspects is from the roof.

The grant will also fund installing light-emitting diode, or LED, bulbs inside the library, which Stempel says will save energy, offer more natural light, and possibly allow the library a reimbursement from National Grid for installation. Currently, the library has fluorescent lighting, she said.

Stempel said the application for the grant was submitted last August by former library manager Judy Petrosillo, who retired this past spring.

Stempel said that Berne’s building inspector will have to examine the roof before repairs can be made, and that he is currently examining balusters that hold the interior lights. The actions funded by the grant must be carried out by June 2019.

Stempel said that state Senator George Amedore and Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara advocated for the library to receive its funding, which comes out of $24 million in state funds for public libraries and broadband infrastructure projects. Both state legislators touted the importance of libraries in the community upon announcing the news that the grants had been awarded.

“We’re all so grateful for support for the library,” said Stempel.