State Library Grants to AMY Regional and McDowell

The State Library of North Carolina announces the 2021-2022 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant awardees. This year’s almost $5 million federal allotment will be distributed among 47 NC libraries.

Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library’s “Take the Library Outside” project will receive $15,000. This project offers a safe outdoor opportunity to learn, move and engage for all ages and all abilities. This audio-included story trail, located at Riverside Park in Spruce Pine will take the library outside and encourage social, emotional, literacy, and gross motor development for all ages.

The McDowell County Public Library system $56,183 in LSTA funding will go to install and implement Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology at both library locations in Marion and Old Fort. The funds from this project will provide security gates and tagging for the entire collection; several self-checkout stations; and obtain the RFID inventory equipment needed to significantly improve the accuracy of the library catalog. This will allow materials become available more quickly, improve inventory control, free staff to spend more time assisting patrons and providing additional services, provide patrons an additional level of privacy, and provide opportunities for contactless transactions.

LSTA grants are awarded in response to specific needs of public, academic, and community college libraries. These federal funds are investments that help libraries deliver relevant and up-to-date services to their communities.

A full list of awardees appears at: https://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/services-libraries/grants-libraries/lsta-grant-information.