The State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, is proud to announce awards to local libraries. Across the state, 41 awards have been issued for a total of $2,539,474 in grant funds from the State Library of North Carolina with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) to support new or expanded library programs and services, as well as limited ongoing projects.
“The projects funded with Library Services and Technology Act grants over the next year will meet a vast array of local needs. They will update and improve access to digital literacy and technology, support early literacy, and assist with efforts to provide community resources for job hunters, workforce development, telehealth, and more," said North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. "These projects will meet critical local needs for which other funding sources are generally not available.”
The grants were awarded based on criteria that advance the State Library of North Carolina’s goals of Community Engagement, Expanding Access, and Responsive Organizations. These projects will support the critical work of libraries, including developing early literacy programs, providing educational opportunities for health and wellness, establishing new spaces for learning and collaboration, and broadening access to materials through digitization and preservation.
Edgecombe County Memorial Library will use its grant to provide Edgecombe County residents with programs to improve their physical and mental health at the Tarboro and Pinetops locations. Participants will learn about physical fitness, nutrition, chronic illnesses, and mental health through programs and resources.
To respond to the evolving needs of the community for more private meeting spaces, the Haywood County Library will use the funding to add two study booths at the Waynesville branch. With occupancy for two and four people, these meeting spaces will allow individuals and small groups to meet and work both in person and virtually as they may also utilize the library’s internet access.
Stanly Community College Library will use its grant to provide Chromebooks to support students in their education. By providing access to these devices, the library aims to ensure that all students are connected to the technology and resources they need for learning, collaboration, and academic success.
A full list of awardees and abstracts appears at: https://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/services-libraries/grants-libraries/lsta-grant-information.
These grant awards are made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-259195-OLS-25).
About the State Library of North Carolina
The State Library of North Carolina enriches the lives of North Carolinians through access to information resources, strengthens communities through exceptional library services, and inspires and supports literacy and lifelong learning for all North Carolinians.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.