From Carteret County to Cullowhee, 41 libraries across the state have been awarded a total of $2,527,641 in grant funds from the State Library of North Carolina with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) to support new or expanded library programs and services, as well as limited ongoing projects.
The grants were awarded based on criteria that advance the State Library of North Carolina’s goals of Community Engagement, Equitable Access, and Responsive Organizations. These projects will support the critical work of libraries, including developing adult literacy programs, providing learning opportunities for health and wellness, creating welcoming spaces for neurodiverse individuals, and broadening access to materials through digitization and preservation.
“Libraries are essential and trusted community institutions,” said Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson. “They provide programs and services that make all our lives richer, from cooking classes to toddler story time to mobile libraries. These federal funds are investments that will help public libraries deliver relevant and innovative services to their communities.”
• Alamance County Public Libraries-Strategic Plan Refresh: $27,200
• Appalachian Regional Library-Adult Literacy Services @ Your Library : $79,226
• Brunswick County Library-Brunswick County Library Migration: $10,000
• Carteret Community College-Evergreen Migration for CC Libraries! Phase II: $106,865
• Catawba County Library-SensoryScape: Inclusive Play Space: $38,903
• Catawba County Library-Meeting the Moment: Equitable Connections: $17,037
• Chapel Hill Public Library-Chapel Hill Descendants Project: $45,000
• Chatham County Public Library-Chatham County Public Libraries' StoryWalk®: $36,228
• Cumberland County Public Library-Culinary Literacy and Wellness at the Library: $40,500
• Davidson County Public Library-StoryWalk® at Yadkin River Park: $6,992
• Duplin County Library-Story Walk® around the county with Me!: $19,402
• Durham County Library-Meeting the Makers Where They Are: $40,300
• East Carolina University-City of Greenville StoryWalks®: $50,000
• Fontana Regional Library-Kitchen Literacy Connection: $19,626
• Forsyth Technical Community College-Forsyth Tech Makerspace: $37,500
• Franklin County Library-Franklin County Library Strategic Plan: $26,475
• Franklin County Library-STEAM Powered Learning: $32,136
• Gardner-Webb University-Cleveland Co. Historic Documents Digitization: $42,000
• Gaston College-Enhancing Library Accessibility and Support: $99,607
• High Plains Indians-Sappony Digital Preservation: $84,942
• Iredell County Public Library-Meeting Space at Main: $27,450
• Lincoln County Public Library-STEMobile: $100,000
• Mars Hill University-MHU Library and Universal Design for Learning: $25,151
• Mooresville Public Library-Laptops for Coding: $42,641
• Neuse Regional Library-Neuse Regional Libraries Cybersecurity Audit: $17,220
• Neuse Regional Library-Teen Leadership Internship Program: $30,267
• New Hanover County Public Library-Local History Archival Management Implementation $39,082
• North Carolina Library Association-NCLA Leadership Institute 2024: $6,000
• N.C. Public Library Directors Association-Professional Development Summits 2024-2025: $13,000
• N.C. State University Libraries-Expanded Extending Cooperative Extension History:$149,999
• N.C. State University Libraries-Statewide E-Resources for Underserved Populations: $150,000
• Pettigrew Regional Library-Digital Literacy for Preschoolers: $10,496
• Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield-STEAM Makerspace: $21,726
• Robeson County Public Library-Robeson County Public Library Migration: $10,000
• Southern Pines Public Library-Dementia/Memory Care Kit Collection: $5,000.00
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-North Carolina Digital Heritage Center: $814,264
• UNC-Greensboro-People Not Property - Slave Deeds Expansion: $103,083
• UNC School of the Arts-Collaboration, Creativity, Flexibility at School of the Arts: $34,125
• Western Carolina University, Hunter Library-Hunter Library Touchscreen Kiosk Project: $15,971
• Wilkes Community College-A Library for All Learners: $44,397
• Wilson Community College-Transforming Library Services: $7,830
A full list of awardees and abstracts appears at: https://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/services-libraries/grants-libraries/lsta-grant-information.
These grant awards are made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-256834-OLS-24).
About the State Library of North Carolina
The State Library of North Carolina enriches the lives of North Carolinians through access to information resources, strengthens communities through exceptional library services, and inspires and supports literacy and lifelong learning for all North Carolinians.
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.