Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced the Missouri State Library has awarded $960,338 in grant funds to 60 libraries- including a few in the KMMO listening area- in order to respond to coronavirus health and safety concerns.
“Missouri’s libraries are integral to the communities they serve and the resources they offer are vital,” Ashcroft said. “These funds help our libraries face the unique obstacles presented by the coronavirus so they can continue offering key services and expanding programs for their patrons.”
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) funds and Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds are used to address digital inclusion and related technical support or to address other efforts that prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19.
According to the Secretary of State’s office, the Carrollton Public Library will get $9,292. The library will use CARES Act funds to hire additional staff to fulfill additional responsibilities on the weekend for cleaning and sanitization purposes; provide laptops for staff to use in implementing virtual story times and other activities; redesign the library’s website so it is more useful and user-friendly; and implement a hotspot- and tablet-lending program for patrons.
The Boonslick Regional Library will receive $22,617 to implement two new services: a hotspot-lending program and BRLMOBILE2GO, which places a hotspot in a library vehicle that will stop at 12 different locations throughout the three-county library district each month for approximately half a day.
The Sedalia Public Library will receive $6,564. The library will purchase eight CIPA-compliant hotspots for check out to patrons so they can have a reliable online connection outside the library to search for jobs and unemployment benefits.