American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 Grants for New Jersey Libraries 

Award to the Wallington Library
 

The Library applied for and received a grant through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 Grants for New Jersey Libraries. We received communication on August 30, 2021 from State Librarian, Jennifer Nelson, that the Library had been awarded $24,525.25 for our program: “JFK Memorial Library Expanding Digital Inclusion & Institutional Capacity”. As per the award letter “...the reviewers found that [the] proposed project supports the role of libraries in responding to the coronavirus pandemic by helping the community respond directly and immediately to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as address related economic and community needs through equitable approaches.”

 

The grant award allowed the Library to invest in four database subscriptions for patrons to use both in the Library and remotely in their homes. It also allowed the Library to replace our outdated laptop computers with 6 brand new laptops. These machines are available for patrons to use in the Library and provide access to all of our digital services, databases, Word Suite, internet, and more. The same Computer/Internet Use Policy that is in place for the Library's desktop computers applies to these new laptops.

 

It is the Library’s hope that patrons take advantage of both these database subscriptions and our new laptops. The databases include Mango, America’s News, Heritage Hub, and Learning Express Library Complete. These four subscriptions offer a wide variety of resources for patrons including language learning, local and national news, genealogy materials, career assistance, homework help, test prep help, and more. Wallington residents simply need a valid library card to access these resources and anyone can stop in at the Library to take advantage of our new laptops. 

 

For more information about the ARPA Grant or about the resources the Library now offers as a result please feel free to contact the Library Director, Kathryn Ennist at ennist@wallington.bccls.org.