MISSOURI RIVER REGIONAL LIBRARY RECEIVES GRANT FOR PUBLIC COMPUTER CENTER

JEFFERSON CITY – The Public Computer Center (PCC) at the Missouri River Regional Library (MRRL) was recently able to purchase 36 new computer monitors as a result of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
“Grants are vital to the Missouri River Regional Library because they provide funding for equipment that we would not otherwise be able to afford within our current budget,” said Nikki Bateman, MRRL computer center supervisor/training coordinator. “To me, being able to provide our patrons with updated resources is one of the most important things I can do here.”
Thousands of people use the library’s PCC. Between January and April of this year, 21,759 have logged on to one of the computers in the PCC. In 2011, the PCC had 61,933 users.
Bateman applied for the grant in January because she believed the PCC was in desperate need of new monitors.
“The old monitors were seven years old and had plexi-glass super-glued to the screens to protect them,” she said. “After several years the glue was no longer holding and the plexi-glass was slowly sliding down the screens, causing a visual obstruction.”
With the grant funds, Bateman was able to purchase 30 new monitors for MRRL’s main and six for the Linn branch. The new monitors are 19-inch ViewSonic LED environmentally friendly mercury free Energy Star 5.0 certified monitors.
“I am very appreciative that the Missouri State Library and Institute of Museum and Library Services feel that what I’m asking for is important,” said Bateman. “Not every grant gets approved and when yours does it validates the fact that what you’re asking for is a needed service for our patrons.”