DAPHNE, Ala. — The Daphne Public Library announced that it has obtained four grants to supply library materials to the public that were excluded in the original budget.

Library Director Tonja Young said the city-run facility scored four out of four in getting the grants it needed.

“I had to make applications for all of them, and we were approved for them,” Young said.

Two grants supplied extra books.

The Distribution to Underserved Communities—or DUC—grant, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, supplied three boxes of books.

These included works by classic and contemporary artists, art techniques and art history.

The “We the People” grant, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, provided books that strengthen the teaching, study and understanding of American history and culture, according to a library news release.

The other two grants help the library upgrade in technology and other needed materials.

The 2010 LSTA grant—funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Alabama Public Library Service—has provided more than $9,000 worth of library materials on finances and economics, living green, careers, business, colleges and grants, as well as bilingual materials and foreign languages on CD, according to the release. This grant also funded more than $9,000 worth of display equipment, shelving, two digital projectors, book carts, signage, software and craft supplies. Young said the library has received the LSTA grant all four years that she has been the director.

A $100,000 Congressionally-Directed grant—funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services—has allowed the library to upgrade from three DSL lines to fiber optic; install security cameras and additional server equipment; and upgrade the telephone system, according to the release. The grant has also funded the furnishings, computers and monitors, headphones, coin-operated print-server, multiple types of software, built-in digital projector and instructional supplies for the new computer lab.

All awards will satisfy the library’s needs to serve Daphne’s readers, Young said, adding, “I apply for anything that I feel we are eligible for.”

Eligibility

In order to apply for a grant, the library must specify its budget, state how it will spend the money and explain how it will help the community and library.

“Libraries have small budgets compared to other city departments, so grants are always helpful to provide extras,” Young said.

They also found out they were approved for 2011 LSTA grant for $60,000 to fund more computer purchases, Young said.

“This is probably the most that we have received money-wise,” Young said. “I have been able to get two or three every year, but monetarily this is a record year because of the congression grant.”