The Online Computer Library Center gave $5,000 to 15 libraries serving rural areas.
The Steeleville Area Public Library was the only one in the state to receive the grant.
The Online Computer Library Center created the small libraries create smart spaces program in 2018 and is now in its second year.
This year Steeleville Area Public Library’s director Sarah Neal applied for the grant and already has some ideas on how to use the $5000’s.
“I just want to something that the kids can utilize more.”
On a typical week the library welcomes 1 to 300 hundred visitors.
A few times a week they have school visits they host in the kids’ space, however...
“It’s quite a small space and when you get a class of 20 there’s not a lot of seating.”
Neal says the grant is for changing spaces with furniture and wants to add mobility to the library to allow them to make for space for their different programs, there’s one problem though.
“I got two in mind that I would like to kind of change up, but I’ve got just enough money for one, I’m going to have to make a hard choice here.”
It’s a choice she won’t have to make alone.
“That’s part of the program is we reach out to the community and see what they like, what changes they would prefer us make to the sections.”
The library also wants to make some enclosed spaces for students to study without distractions
