Accessing materials and collaborating with your peers has never been easier with the addition of three smartboards and two self-checkout stations at your library.

Last year, the Huntington City-Township Public Library received a $25,116.34 grant through the Indiana State Library and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)  from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

These funds were designed to fill needs brought to light by the pandemic, and libraries were encouraged to use the funds for technology- and safety-related upgrades.

The library purchased two new self-checkout stations, allowing patrons to socially distance themselves from others and to check out books, movies and other items to their library card without having to interact directly with staff.

Also purchased were three smartboards, fully interactive whiteboards for streaming of lessons, videos and presentations, which increase ability for collaboration in the meeting rooms while maintaining safe social distancing practices.

This project would not have been possible without the ARPA-funded support of IMLS, the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums, inspiring these institutions to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement.

Since their installation the new self-checkouts have been active and an overall success for patron use. Library staff is working on training and documentation for the smartboards and hope to have them available for public use soon.