Callaway County library awarded technology grant

<p>FULTON SUN File</p><p>Daniel Boone Regional Library has been awarded $18,000.</p>

FULTON SUN File

Daniel Boone Regional Library has been awarded $18,000.

The Callaway County Public Library is getting new self-checkout stations thanks to a mini-grant program.

The Missouri State Library has approved 83 grant applications for the 2021 fiscal year, allowing for $1,203,011 in federal funds to be distributed to Missouri libraries.

The Callaway County library is a part of the Daniel Boone Regional Library system, which is receiving $18,000.

Locations in Ashland and Holts Summit will also benefit from new self-checkout machines.

“Missouri’s libraries serve as vital resource hubs for their communities,” Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said. “Last year, library directors and staff developed new ways to reach and provide services to their patrons. These grants help provide libraries with the technology they need to expand the services they offer and meet the needs of their patrons.”

DBRL spokesperson Mitzi St. John said the library applied for the technology mini-grant in October. One of the purposes of the grant was to help libraries update aging equipment and invest in technology in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is not the first pandemic-relevant grant that the library has received. Back in July, DBRL was awarded $50,000 by the state library to purchase Wi-Fi hotspots and self-checkout machines for the Columbia location.

At the time, the library considered moving used check-out machines from Columbia to other branches, but now, it will be able to purchase new machines. Two will come to Fulton, while Holts Summit and Ashland expect one each.

Self-checkout stations allow patrons to enjoy library offerings without close contact with staff.

“These make it safer for everybody, we recognize that,” St. John said. “Self-checkout stations are definitely helpful.”