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Montgomery City Public Library

Grants Overview

Have you ever wondered about the grants that the Montgomery City Public Library receives?  How do you write a grant?  What do grants require?  How does MCPL spend the grant money? 

 

The Montgomery City Public Library applies for grants that will help the library purchase equipment, materials, presenters, or services to better serve our patrons.  It’s important to tailor each grant to the organization providing the grant as well as their values and goals.  We complete a grant application with detailed explanations regarding the needs to be met, how the needs were determined, how to meet those needs, grant goals, how to determine the grant’s successfulness, data (surveys, attendance, etc.), and a detailed budget on how we would specifically spend the grant funding.

 

If the grant is awarded to MCPL, there are specific requirements that must be completed during the grant period. The grant money can only be used on what was approved in the grant award.  Other requirements include patron surveys of the new equipment or services, attendance or circulation data; interim grant reports with how the project is progressing and a budget of money spent; and, final reports explaining how the money was used, the results of the surveys, final data collection, and if the activities and purchases met the goals of the grant.

 

The Montgomery City Public Library is pleased to announce that it received an $8,972.00 Technology Mini Grant Award from the Missouri State Library on October 30, 2025.  This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.

 

Using LSTA funds and local funds, MCPL will purchase a variety of technology.  Three new laptops will replace laptops that could not be updated to Windows 11.  Three new desktop computers will replace the outdated catalog computer, teen computer, and office workstation.  A new server will benefit MCPL by providing faster and more reliable service for patrons, a centralized data storage and backup, and better security and privacy.  A new and updated Alienware computer will be purchased to use with the virtual reality system. This will have better graphic capabilities than the old computer.  Lasty, a new scanner/fax machine was purchased to replace the one from 2017.  Patrons will need to complete a short before and after survey when using the new equipment, which is a requirement for the grant.

MCPL also received a LSTA Technology Ladder Grant Award of $7,548.00 earlier this year.  The library purchased a new self-checkout machine and an updated outside access point.  The new Envisionware X25 Countertop Self-

Checkout Machine allows patrons access to their library account and have accessibility controls that the old self-checkout machine did not have.  It’s available for patrons when the front desk is busy, when they want privacy, or when they are taking safety precautions. Children also enjoy using the self-checkout machine.  Have you tried it yet?

 

The new HPE Aruba AP-567 wireless access point ensures patrons have a stronger and more consistent Wi-Fi coverage outside the library building and outside business hours.  It communicates with the indoor wireless access point for better infrastructure and provides a better user experience for patrons and community members who use the free Wi-Fi outside of the library and when the library is closed.

 

The Montgomery City Public Library was one of ten libraries in the nation to receive a grant from Cosmic Writers and the Tigris Foundation this year.  This grant is to “empower rural and small libraries with the tools they need to spark a love of creative writing in their communities.”  Homeschool Hangout students are using Cosmic Writer’s Monster Building Handbook to create their very own monster along with its personality, lair, and abilities.  In upcoming Homeschool Hangout meetings, the students will train their monsters to fight a monster hunter.  Ultimately, the monster and the monster hunter will battle.  I wonder who will win?  The students have thoroughly enjoyed this creative and imaginative project.

 

MCPL applied for a LSTA Summer Library Grant for next summer’s “Unearth A Story” summer reading program.  The grant would pay for books and professional presenters.  The Missouri State Library will announce the awards in mid-January.  We get most of our funding for the summer reading program from this grant.

 

Furthermore, the library will apply for grants to help update the kitchen area in the Community Room.  We hope to replace the current appliances and purchase new ones like a stove/oven in addition to other cookware.  Another want for this area is a demonstration table with an overhead camera and video screen for live demonstrations.  MCPL hopes to use this culinary art area for cooking programs for children, teens, and adults. 

 

MCPL’s mission is to create an environment for lifelong learning and personal growth to meet the needs of our diverse community.  Grants help us do just that!  We are thankful for the state and national grants that we’ve received over the years, which benefit the Montgomery City Public Library and our community.  Please contact me if you have other questions about grants or about MCPL.  You’re invited to visit MCPL and see all the different equipment and items purchased through grants.