Technology Mini- Grant Awarded to Cameron Public Library
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced that the Cameron Public Library received a Technology Mini-Grant of $5,841. Ashcroft said, “These grants are important to ensuring our libraries have the resources they need to provide quality services and programs to their patrons”. The library will use the grant to purchase eight laptop computers with office production software and a charging cart to support youth STEM programs and adult computer classes. Additionally, the library is restructuring its public access computers to be wired with switches instead of connecting them wirelessly to provide a more reliable and faster internet connection.
Cameron Library Director JoEllen Pratt said, “We need up-to- date technology to best serve the community”. Technology Mini-Grants provide funding for eligible libraries to replace older equipment or purchase new equipment to improve library services. This equipment includes technology- and automation-related equipment, hardware and software, which are used to improve the library’s network infrastructure.
“The laptops we have been using for the coding camps are antiquated and that limits what we can teach. We are fortunate and grateful that they saw the need and helped us update that technology,” said Children’s Program Coordinator Jennifer Ensign. The additional tablets will help accommodate the growing number of children interested in attending the popular computer coding camps.
The Missouri State Library approved a total of 81 grant applications for the 2019 fiscal year, totaling $709,063 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.
