The Mohave County Library District could receive $25,000 in state grant funds next week as part of its continued efforts to house children in the county's library facilities.
The funds will be used to provide local youth and teens with amenities featuring technology, tools and games aimed at supporting the development of young library patrons.
“One of the things that sets libraries apart is that we, as a field, are committed to developing children as lifelong learners,” Mohave County Library Director Jake Barilaro said this week. “Through steps like the one we are planning with (state grant) funding, we can provide the youth in our community with technology for both learning and recreation. , allowing us to keep our spaces up-to-date and meet the demands driven by technological advancements.”
The library's Lake Havasu City branch will use the grant to buy extra-large keyboards for children for a total of $600 and a Nintendo Switch video game console for about $470.
Other purchases include two iPads for $2,000 at both the library's Kingman and Bullhead City branches, 16 computer mice ($225) and three interactive motion wall panels ($1,545) , a wall-mounted toy for the youth services area ($1,700), and four portable air conditioning units for use throughout the district in case of HVAC outages ($2,500).
The funds will also be spent at a cost of $4,000 on the Federal Communications Commission's E-Rate program, which will provide broadband internet access to library facilities throughout Mohave County. Performers in the library's 2024 Summer Reading Program will receive an additional $1,350 grant, and Microsoft Office 2021 licenses will cost him $5,220.
Maintaining the library's online public events calendar costs an additional $2,879, and patrons' mobile printing software costs $863 in subsidies. Advertising in the local community costs an additional $998, according to county records.
“We live in exciting times for library service delivery,” Mr Barilaro said. “While our long-standing mission of providing resources to patrons remains the same, new patterns in technology have changed many aspects of what libraries offer. From new additions to the introduction of virtual reality and robotic STEM programs for youth, we're always working hard to stay up to date and bring new and interesting programs to our community. I’m expanding my horizons.”
Mr Barilaro said the library had been a recipient of SGIA grants for many years prior to this week, and the Mohave County Board of Supervisors had always accepted that funding to support youth programs.
The Mohave County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote Monday on whether to approve this year's grant funding at its next board meeting in Kingman.
