FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov 3, 2023
Contact: JoDonn Chaney, (573) 526-0949

 

Ashcroft Awards 28 Technology Mini-Grants to Missouri Libraries 

Jefferson City, Mo. — Today Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced that his office has awarded over $320,000 in additional funding for 28 technology mini-grants distributed to several Missouri libraries. Since January 1, 2023, Ashcroft’s office - through the Missouri State Library - has awarded 146 grants totaling over two million dollars.   

These grants provide funding to public libraries for technology and automation-related equipment and software to improve network infrastructure and expand services. 

“Libraries serve as vital resource hubs for their communities,” Ashcroft said. “These grants provide libraries with the technology to expand services to better meet patron needs.”

Grants are administered through an application process and awarded based on need, as well as the library’s ability to effectively bring the project to fruition. 

“Technology mini-grants give libraries the opportunity to upgrade existing technology and implement new, innovative projects,” said State Librarian Robin Westphal. “These grants have been a mainstay of the Missouri State Library for years, and we are excited to announce this year’s recipients of these competitive grants.”

Below is the full list of mini-grant recipients for 2023:

Organization Name

Project Name

Award

Barry-Lawrence Regional Library

Firewalls and Switches Replacement Winter 2023-2024

$14,018

Barton County Library

2023 Barton County Library Equipment Upgrade for Patron, Children’s and Circulation Computers

$15,703

Bloomfield Public Library

Update

$3,167

Camden County Library District

Hardware Update and Makerspace Expansion

$9,797

Carter County Library

Stepping up the Services For the Carter County Patrons

$17,433

Cedar County Library

Cedar County Computer Skills

$12,650

Dunklin County Library

Server upgrade 2023 Dunklin County

$10,190

Ferguson Municipal Public Library

Ferguson 2023 Patron Tech Update

$21,316

Hamilton Public Library

Hamilton updates technology

$5,369

Henry County Library

Public Computer Technology Upgrade

$5,000

Jefferson County Library

Preserving Historical Records in the Pursuit of the Past

$4,613

Joplin Public Library

EOL Shouldn’t Stand for End of Library

$7,514

Kirkwood Public Library

Technology Expansion

$19,858

Little Dixie Regional Libraries

Reinvigorating LDRL's Technology

$22,000

McDonald County Library

Patron Machines

$13,426

Mid-Continent Public Library

Chromebook To Go Kits Expansion

$22,000

Missouri River Regional Library

Business Computer Center Machine Replacement and Update

$21,280

Montgomery City Public Library

Expanding the Wonder at MCPL

$6,683

Neosho-Newton County Library

PC Refresh in Newton County

$10,859

Polk County Library

Patron Access Printer - Bolivar

$4,058

Price James Library

Office computer replacements

$2,966

Putnam County Public Library

Equipment Replacement and Update Software

$5,817

Richmond Heights Memorial Library

Richmond Heights Memorial Library Public Tech Access Expansion

$12,516

St. Louis County Library

Replacement Hardware for Youth Programming & Material Returns

$20,307

University City Public Library

Studio, Makerspace, & WiFi Kits

$7,473

Valley Park Community Library

Technology Upgrade 2023

$2,954

Webster Groves Public Library

WGPL Computer Refresh

$9,481

West Plains Public Library

West Plains Public Library Mobile Technology Lab

$12,492

Total

 

$320,940

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Visit www.sos.mo.gov to learn more about the Office of the Missouri Secretary of State.