In July 2011, the Polk County Public Library was awarded a $19,000 grant to be used for upgrading the computer lab in the Columbus library. As part of the grant, the PCPL created two “express stations,” which are standing Internet access points for checking emails, printing boarding passes and other quick tasks. The express stations were installed in early May.
This completes the LSTA grant in full. The library has successfully replaced all of the public computers and added three new workstations. The Columbus computer lab now houses 16 fully upgraded computers and two express stations.
The PCPL received one of the 112 competitive grants for fiscal year 2011-2012 awarded to North Carolina libraries. LSTA funds awarded by the State Library of North Carolina are made possible through funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.
These federal funds are investments designed to help libraries deliver relevant and up-to-date services for their communities.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. Through the LSTA Grants to States program IMLS provides funds to state library agencies using a population-based formula. State libraries may use the appropriation to support statewide initiatives and services; they may also distribute the funds through competitive subgrants to public, academic, school, special and research libraries. To learn more about the institute, visit www.imls.gov.
For more information about our local library, visit our website at www.polklibrary.org.
– article submitted by Tracey Daniels