Barry-Lawrence Regional Library receives tech grant
January 27, 2021
Sheila Harris
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced that Barry-Lawrence Regional Library received a Technology Mini-Grant of $18,000.
Barry-Lawrence Regional Library director Gina Milburn says the library will use the grant to replace 20 public use computers, 20 monitors and two staff laptops.
According to Ashcroft, Technology Mini-Grants provide funding for eligible libraries to replace older equipment or purchase new equipment to improve library services. Specificially, he said, the grants focus on libraries with a network at risk of imminent failure, replacing software or hardware that’s no longer supported, and projects aimed at responding to COVID-19 through the use of technology.
“The Mini-Grant is one of two grants we receive every year just like clock-work,” Barry-Lawrence Library director Milburn said. “The second one is the Technology Ladder Grant.”
Milburn says, for the second grant, they’ve written a request for funds to replace the remaining 30 desktop computers and monitors that are available for public use throughout the library system. The computers will be replaced in no particular order, although the oldest, most worn models will be replaced first.
“We also plan to purchase nine tablets, which are used for PayPal processing in each of our branches,” she said. “With PayPal, library patrons can use debit or credit cards to pay for copies, book replacements, or any other transaction that totals $1 or more.”
According to Secretary of State Ashcroft’s press release, the Missouri State Library has approved a total of 83 grant applications for the 2021 fiscal year, totaling $1,203,011 in federal awards that the secretary’s office has distributed to libraries throughout Missouri. The grants are funded by the Library Services and Technology Act through the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.
“Missouri’s libraries serve as vital resource hubs for their communities,” Ashcroft said. “Last year, library directors and staff developed new ways to reach and provide services to their patrons. These grants help provide libraries with the technology they need to expand the services they offer and meet the needs of their patrons.”
Sheila Harris
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced that Barry-Lawrence Regional Library received a Technology Mini-Grant of $18,000.
Barry-Lawrence Regional Library director Gina Milburn says the library will use the grant to replace 20 public use computers, 20 monitors and two staff laptops.
According to Ashcroft, Technology Mini-Grants provide funding for eligible libraries to replace older equipment or purchase new equipment to improve library services. Specificially, he said, the grants focus on libraries with a network at risk of imminent failure, replacing software or hardware that’s no longer supported, and projects aimed at responding to COVID-19 through the use of technology.
“The Mini-Grant is one of two grants we receive every year just like clock-work,” Barry-Lawrence Library director Milburn said. “The second one is the Technology Ladder Grant.”
Milburn says, for the second grant, they’ve written a request for funds to replace the remaining 30 desktop computers and monitors that are available for public use throughout the library system. The computers will be replaced in no particular order, although the oldest, most worn models will be replaced first.
“We also plan to purchase nine tablets, which are used for PayPal processing in each of our branches,” she said. “With PayPal, library patrons can use debit or credit cards to pay for copies, book replacements, or any other transaction that totals $1 or more.”
According to Secretary of State Ashcroft’s press release, the Missouri State Library has approved a total of 83 grant applications for the 2021 fiscal year, totaling $1,203,011 in federal awards that the secretary’s office has distributed to libraries throughout Missouri. The grants are funded by the Library Services and Technology Act through the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.
“Missouri’s libraries serve as vital resource hubs for their communities,” Ashcroft said. “Last year, library directors and staff developed new ways to reach and provide services to their patrons. These grants help provide libraries with the technology they need to expand the services they offer and meet the needs of their patrons.”
