Ashcroft awards 28 Technology Mini-Grants to Missouri Libraries
Jefferson City, Mo. — Today Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced that his office has awarded over $320,000 in additional funding for 28 technology mini-grants distributed to several Missouri libraries. Since January 1, 2023, Ashcroft’s office – through the Missouri State Library – has awarded 146 grants totaling over two million dollars.
These grants provide funding to public libraries for technology and automation-related equipment and software to improve network infrastructure and expand services.
“Libraries serve as vital resource hubs for their communities,” Ashcroft said. “These grants provide libraries with the technology to expand services to better meet patron needs.”
Grants are administered through an application process and awarded based on need, as well as the library’s ability to effectively bring the project to fruition.
“Technology mini-grants give libraries the opportunity to upgrade existing technology and implement new, innovative projects,” said State Librarian Robin Westphal. “These grants have been a mainstay of the Missouri State Library for years, and we are excited to announce this year’s recipients of these competitive grants.”
Below is the full list of mini-grant recipients for 2023:
| Organization Name | Project Name | Award |
| Barry-Lawrence Regional Library | Firewalls and Switches Replacement Winter 2023-2024 | $14,018 |
| Barton County Library | 2023 Barton County Library Equipment Upgrade for Patron, Children’s and Circulation Computers | $15,703 |
| Bloomfield Public Library | Update | $3,167 |
| Camden County Library District | Hardware Update and Makerspace Expansion | $9,797 |
| Carter County Library | Stepping up the Services For the Carter County Patrons | $17,433 |
| Cedar County Library | Cedar County Computer Skills | $12,650 |
| Dunklin County Library | Server upgrade 2023 Dunklin County | $10,190 |
| Ferguson Municipal Public Library | Ferguson 2023 Patron Tech Update | $21,316 |
| Hamilton Public Library | Hamilton updates technology | $5,369 |
| Henry County Library | Public Computer Technology Upgrade | $5,000 |
| Jefferson County Library | Preserving Historical Records in the Pursuit of the Past | $4,613 |
| Joplin Public Library | EOL Shouldn’t Stand for End of Library | $7,514 |
| Kirkwood Public Library | Technology Expansion | $19,858 |
| Little Dixie Regional Libraries | Reinvigorating LDRL’s Technology | $22,000 |
| McDonald County Library | Patron Machines | $13,426 |
| Mid-Continent Public Library | Chromebook To Go Kits Expansion | $22,000 |
| Missouri River Regional Library | Business Computer Center Machine Replacement and Update | $21,280 |
| Montgomery City Public Library | Expanding the Wonder at MCPL | $6,683 |
| Neosho-Newton County Library | PC Refresh in Newton County | $10,859 |
| Polk County Library | Patron Access Printer – Bolivar | $4,058 |
| Price James Library | Office computer replacements | $2,966 |
| Putnam County Public Library | Equipment Replacement and Update Software | $5,817 |
| Richmond Heights Memorial Library | Richmond Heights Memorial Library Public Tech Access Expansion | $12,516 |
| St. Louis County Library | Replacement Hardware for Youth Programming & Material Returns | $20,307 |
| University City Public Library | Studio, Makerspace, & WiFi Kits | $7,473 |
| Valley Park Community Library | Technology Upgrade 2023 | $2,954 |
| Webster Groves Public Library | WGPL Computer Refresh | $9,481 |
| West Plains Public Library | West Plains Public Library Mobile Technology Lab | $12,492 |
| Total | $320,940 |