Item:
Title
Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC071 Recognizing $72,878 in Grant Funding from the State Library of North Carolina’s Libraries Strengthening Connections Grant in Support of Programming Laptop Purchases
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: April 13, 2026
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC071 recognizing $72,878 in grant funding from the State Library of North Carolina’s Libraries Strengthening Connections Grant in support of programming laptop purchases.
The Board is requested to recognize $72,878 in grant funding from the State Library of North Carolina Libraries Strengthening Connections (LSC) Grant in support of programming laptops to be distributed to each of Durham County Library’s seven locations. With the support of the funds, the library will purchase 70 laptops for use by patrons in classes on computer education, technology literacy programs, makerspace activities, research and citation practices, and using a variety of software programs.
The purpose of this project is to provide the resources necessary to bridge Durham’s digital divide and increase the level of technological literacy among patrons who use the library. The 70 devices purchased with this grant will empower library staff to respond directly to patrons’ expressed needs for more technology programming.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: This grant-funded program aligns with the Empowered Community goal of Durham County’s strategic plan, specifically EC 1 which has as its objective to offer and encourage access to tools, services, support groups, and educational opportunities for diverse communities. The laptops purchased with this grant are the tools the diverse communities we serve will use to increase their opportunities for life skills, technical training, and education per EC 1b.
Resource Persons: Oni Gaines, Technology Support Analyst, Project Manager; Patrick O’Grady, Library Grant Writer; Dana Conners, Library Director.
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 26BCC071 recognizing $72,878 in grant funding from the State Library of North Carolina’s Libraries Strengthening Connections grant program.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________