The Northeast Texas Community College library was one of 77 libraries nationwide to be awarded an emergency relief grant from The American Library Association (ALA). The fund is providing $1.55 million in emergency relief grants to libraries that have experienced substantial economic hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. Through the ALA COVID Library Relief Fund, NTCC will be awarded $20,000 to support library services and operations.
“We are ecstatic that our grant got funded. This will allow for one employee to go from part-time status to full-time status for the remainder of the fiscal year,” Heather Shaw, NTCC Reference Librarian, said.
Shaw said the funds will also replace technology that functions poorly or is outdated, and will allow the library to add services that it didn’t have before, such as multiple checkout stations at the front counter and more functions among the stacks with a new Bluetooth barcode scanner.
The ALA COVID Library Relief Fund represents a significant non-federal grant opportunity for libraries. The funds support libraries' efforts to increase and enhance technology access, collection development, digital instruction, staffing, and outreach, while maintaining and amplifying existing services through the end of 2022.
The ALA COVID Library Relief Fund is supported by Acton Family Giving as part of its ongoing response to the pandemic. "We truly appreciate the continued generous support from Acton Family Giving to help so many libraries provide needed services to traditionally underserved communities across the country.” said ALA President Patty Wong. “These grants will allow so many libraries to have a critical impact on those who depend on them during these challenging times.”
For more information about NTCC’s library, which is located in the Learning Commons, visit www.ntcc.edu/library.
