The Madill Library was awarded a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which was passed by Congress and signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021. It provides $200 million in pandemic response funding to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Most of these funds will be granted to state library agencies for distribution within the states and territories. The Oklahoma Department of Libraries will receive $2,867,357 to distribute in the Sooner State.
The purpose of the ARPA funding is for U.S. libraries to provide pandemic response and relief. Awarded grants must be used to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts of the pandemic.
The library was awarded $7,542.39, which was spent on three items. A new book return which will allow patron to return books without having to enter the library, a new water filling station that will allow patrons and guest to fill/refill their water bottles in a contactless manner and more e-books that library card holders can access by the Libby app.
Our old book drop was in terrible shape with only one screw holding the door on. We also clean each book that is returned to the library. The new book drop is wonderful as it holds many more books and has a good cushion spring bottom that helps the books keep from being damaged.
We have many people needing a place to cool off during the summer and the contactless water filling station is excellent to keep things sanitary and stop the spread of the COVID virus. Our e-book checkouts increased greatly during the pandemic. The new e-books will add diversity and variety to our collection.
This project is made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act, administered by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. However, the opinions expressed by a grant supported outside agent do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of ODL or IMLS, and no official endorsement by those entities should be inferred.