Bartow County Library System receives $31,291 in American Rescue Plan funding
Cartersville, GA: Bartow County Library System has been awarded $31,291 in American Rescue Plan funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through a competitive grant process. The library’s application was one of only 390 projects selected from 572 applications submitted in June 2021.
“As pillars of our communities, libraries and museums bring people together by providing important programs, services, and collections. These institutions are trusted spaces where people can learn, explore and grow,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “IMLS is proud to support their initiatives through our grants as they educate and enhance their communities.”
Bartow County Library System will use the funds to upgrade the community wing of its Cartersville branch. The library will be installing meeting pods and booths, and adding contactless doors in community restrooms. These improvements will create more private spaces for patrons to conduct meetings, job interviews, and other sensitive remote activities that have gone virtual because of COVID-19.
“The library system is thrilled to receive grant funds to improve library services to our community,” said Carmen Sims, Bartow County Library System Director. “People currently meet and work at open tables in the Cartersville Library’s community wing. The addition of the meeting pods and booths will provide a private, soundproof space for these tasks. We will also be adding a reservation system to book rooms within the library or remotely.”
Bartow County’s Grant Writing department assisted the library with the grant application.
“It means so much that our application was chosen out of hundreds of other submitted projects,” said Jessica Cantrell, Grants Specialist. “This project will really make a difference for the library and, most importantly, for Bartow County residents.”
Press Release