RCC Receives a Library Services and Technology Act Grant from the State Library of North Carolina for a Print Management System
System to streamline various RCC library services and make customer service a priority!

ASHEBORO (June 15, 2006) – Randolph Community College (RCC) was awarded a federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant for Internet Infrastructure Improvement from the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. The RCC Library will receive $17,560 and will match $4,391 for a comprehensive print management system. This funding will buy the hardware, software and supplies necessary to implement a system that will enable RCC library users to better control their printing.

The RCC Library received one of the 101 grants totaling more than $3.4 million awarded to North Carolina libraries. Administered by the State Library, the LSTA grant program funds projects across the state that support learning and discovery for children and teens, achieve equity in library service and create a climate for innovation and change.

“Our library staff is very pleased to have been awarded this grant for a print management system that will allow students more control over their computer printing as well as distribute printing costs more fairly among users,” said Debbie Luck, Director of Library Services. “In requesting this grant, our goals were to improve our computer users' access to online resources as well as their research and critical evaluation skills. Once the new system is in place, our staff feels they will have more time to focus on our library's most important responsibility - educating our students and community library users.”

With the new system, students and other patrons will be able to pay at the printing station with a debit card available in Library Services. This system will increase student satisfaction with the ease of accuracy of printing material from library computers and will allow library staff to devote time to assisting patrons with research and other Internet related services.

The grant will help create a user-friendly Library Services environment and will help make customer service a priority. Less time will be spent collecting printing fees and more time will be spent developing handouts, creating online tutorials and assisting students in the library with their online research. RCC hopes to see at least a 20 percent increase in the use of online resources.

LSTA is managed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities. Funds are provided through block grants to state library agencies using a population-based formula. State libraries may use funds for statewide initiatives and services, and may also grant funds to public, academic, school, research and special libraries. LSTA funding targets programs that use technology for information sharing between libraries and community agencies or projects that improve and expand library services, especially for low-wealth communities.

For more information on the Internet Infrastructure Improvement Grant, please contact Debbie Luck at 336-633-0272 or Susan Milner at 336-633-0174. For more information about federal IMLS/LSTA grants, please visit the IMLS Web site at www.imls.gov. Visit the State Library’s LSTA web site at statelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us/lsta/lsta.htm, or contact Penny Hornsby at the State Library of North Carolina: phornsby@library.dcr.state.nc.us, or (919) 807-7420.