[Libs-Or] American Rescue Plan Act Grant Awards

[AMABILE Courtney I * SLO]

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Buzzy Nielsen
Program Manager for Library Support and Development
buzzy.nielsen at slo.oregon.gov
971-375-3486


Salem, Ore - In March of this year, the State Library of Oregon received nearly $3 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). These funds were given to the State Library by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to help Oregon libraries, museums, and related nonprofits promote digital inclusion and connectivity, address needs arising from the pandemic, and generally support efforts to provide equitable service to communities.

The State Library is excited to announce that it is giving out over $2.1 million of the ARPA funds in competitive grants to local organizations. Grants are being distributed to 61 institutions that serve nearly every part of the state. Projects include efforts to improve internet connectivity and accessibility; expand access to and education about digital resources and tools; reach out to and better serve underrepresented communities; promote workforce development; and respond to needs arising from the pandemic. Below are some examples of the projects awarded funding.

  *   Pendleton Public Library will purchase a pop-up bookmobile, outfitted with Wi-Fi, to provide mobile library services to areas of need, with priority going to the Umatilla Indian Reservation, assisted living facilities, and low-income apartment complexes within their service area.
  *   Eastern Oregon University will create a mobile Virtual Reality Lab run by the library that students and faculty can use for out-of-classroom content engagement and remote lab work, such as dissection and simulation assignments for students in Anatomy & Physiology courses.
  *   Albany Regional Museum, Eagle Point Museum, Phoenix Historical Society and Museum, and Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum will each revamp their current exhibits to be more inclusive and accessible and to tell the stories of underrepresented voices.
  *   Elkton Community Education Center, located in a small rural community with limited connectivity and lack of access to preventative care, will set up a telehealth kiosk, extend internet access, and equip the building for extended power outages.
  *   Both Lane County Law Library and Linn County Law Library will establish programs aimed at connecting renters with rental assistance and information, with the goal of improving housing stability and reducing evictions.
  *   The Greater Albany School District will supply historically underserved students with Wi-Fi hotspots and Chromebooks as well as additional instructional and logistical support to overcome the educational impacts of the COVID pandemic.
  *   Cottage Grove Public Library will provide programs to better serve Spanish and Mayan-language (Mam, K'iche') speaking communities, and to support a community health worker who can act as a resource navigator for individuals and families.

A complete list of grant recipients is available at https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/lstagrants/arpaawards.

Questions or comments can be directed to Buzzy Nielsen, Program Manager for Library Support and Development (buzzy.nielsen at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:buzzy.nielsen at slo.oregon.gov>, 971-375-3486).

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