Michael Reid – mreid[at]somdnews[dot]com – September 3, 2024
Southern Maryland libraries received some fiscal assistance recently in funding from the Federal Library Services and Technology Act.
The Maryland State Library Agency awarded nearly $268,000 to libraries across the state.
The competitive grants, which are supported by the IMLS, support staff development, innovative pilot projects, and preparedness by funding strategic and facility master plans. including $60,000 to branches in Southern Maryland.
“As Maryland’s public libraries continue to grow, LSTA funding is critical to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve,” Maryland State Librarian Morgan Lehr Miller said in a news release. “We’re grateful to IMLS for its continued support of Maryland’s libraries and for its help funding the tools and resources our libraries provide for all Marylanders.”
Calvert Library received $30,000 to support ongoing strategic plan efforts that focus on early literacy, engaging community members of all ages, and issues of access, anti-racism and inclusion.
“Of course we’re excited to get a grant and we’re very grateful to the funding source,” Calvert Library Public Relations Coordinator Robyn Truslow told Southern Maryland News. “The advantages The Maryland State Library Agency bring to our communities is a great way to turn a dollar into $12.”
The $30,000 was tied with Carroll County and Prince George’s County for the highest awarded grants.
Calvert Library Executive Director Carrie Willson said the library “looks forward to enhancing these skills to further empower Calvert County citizens to navigate the evolving landscape of information, technology and societal changes.”
St. Mary’s County Library was awarded $20,000 to purchase tools and equipment for programming in a Makerspace that will empower and foster lifelong learning in pre-K and elementary school students, addressing the need for fine motor skills development and promoting technology literacy.
“It really is especially exciting,” St. Mary’s County Library Director Michael Blackwell said of the youth-oriented Makerspace that is slated for the Lexington Park branch. “It’ll have slightly different equipment and some things that are really safe for people to use. It’s going to be a very exciting project.”
Charles County received $10,000 to utilize cutting edge software and equipment to offer patrons the opportunity to develop essential on-the-job skills by completing courses on trades like HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and more via library and personal devices.
“We try and capitalize on as many grant opportunities from them as possible every year,” Charles County Public Library Associate Director of Community Engagement Erin Del Signore told Southern Maryland News. “Sometimes they work out, sometimes they don’t, and sometimes they fit opportunities and sometimes they don’t. But this year really worked out because we have been recognizing the growing demand for skilled workers in those trades. The importance of providing these individuals accessible resources so they can advance their skills and careers.”
The new resource is called SkillMill, which is an online software program designed to develop essential on the job skills through simulations and expert-led courses and training. Users will be able to use the program at the library or at home and VR headsets can be used to see demonstrations and courses.
“Job help and skill building is something we have been seeing in the community and hearing from our community,” Del Signore said. “There is a huge need for jobs in the skill trades.”
Other county libraries that were awarded grants were Carroll ($30,000), Prince George’s ($30,000), Queen Anne ($29,472 for two grants), Wicomico ($28,526 for two grants), Baltimore ($27,000), Howard ($18,250 over two grants), Worcester ($18,000), Frederick ($12,500), Kent ($10,000) and Talbot ($6,000).
