Dunklin County Library receives $39,680 in grant money

The Dunklin County Library will soon be offering additional Early Literacy Stations at various branches throughout the organization, made possible through a grant administered by the Missouri State Library division.

According to JoNell Minton, director of Dunklin County Libraries, the grant will allow the library to add 16 Early Literacy Stations to be distributed to the Arbyrd, Cardwell, Senath, Hornersville, Malden, Campbell, Clarkton and Holcomb branches.

The Early Literacy Stations will be the same style of computers currently housed at the Library's main branch in Kennett, which were received in August 2008.

"The computers are for children ages two through eight years old and are designed to encourage children to learn reading and language skills," Minton explained. "They are kid friendly with forty top-rated educational software packages, covering seven curricular areas. "

Director Minton was recently contacted by the State Library about the possibility of additional computers, two for each branch.

Minton said she was pleasantly surprised when the State Library notified her that the library would be receiving funding for all sixteen Literacy Stations.

The grant is an amendment from the 2008 grant, and is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the (LSTA) Library and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State. Monies used to purchase the new stations will be funded at 100 percent through LSTA, with no local match being required. The total amount received for the purchase of the computers in $39,680.

Director Minton expects the computers to be in place late summer or early fall.