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Advance Community Library receives two grants worth almost $3,000
This year has proven to be a good year for grants at the Advance Community Library. The library has received not one, but two grants in 2015.
"We submitted all the paperwork for the Missouri State Mini-Technology Grant before the end of last year," explains library board president Cara Mayberry. "Board member Nancy Lanpher had written grants as a teacher, so she helped me get the application in by the deadline, which was right after Christmas. Our director was leaving for vacation, so we had to get all the papers signed before she left."
The technology grant was worth $2,010 to be used for the purchase of new computers.
While Mayberry and Lanpher were working to get the technology grant written, the Advance library received a letter from the Libri Foundation, a nation-wide non-profit organization that donates new, quality children's books to small, rural public libraries in the United States through its BOOKS FOR CHILDREN program. The library had received a Libri grant several years ago, so they were on the groups' list.
"Our board is fortunate to have another retired teacher, Sandy Long, who stepped up to apply for the Libri grant, which has donated $962.86 in beautiful children's books to our library," explains Mayberry. "Sandy spearheaded the project. She, Diane Reeves, and Cynthia French read through a huge list of books with award-winning titles. When the books came in, Sandy and our librarian Bonnie Umfleet culled some of our old books in order to have room for the new Libri titles. These books are a wonderful addition to our children's library."
As an added bonus, the Libri Foundation sent $350.00 worth of new math and science books donated by donors Bill Strawbridge and Meg Wallhagen. These books have been given a special place of honor on the shelves next to the children's section.
"We had to clear off several shelves to make room for these new additions," Mayberry adds. "Also, former Advance High School science teacher Nancy Lanpher is going to create a special science section in the library."
The Missouri Mini-Technology Grant will be used to replace two of the library's original computers, which were purchased when the library first opened in 2004.
"We wanted to replace all three of the old computers," says Mayberry, "However, the State has rigorous specifications for the computers, so we couldn't afford three. Fortunately, we've been doing fundraisers all year, and we had the matching funds to apply for both the Libri and the technology grant. We're very pleased that we can continue to improve our small library."