West Fargo Public Library board signals intent to accept federal digital equity grant

The West Fargo Public Library Board voted to approve a motion expressing the board’s intent to accept a federal digital equity grant when the award offer arrives.

Jenna Kaley, library director, told the board the library was recommended to receive the award as a subgrantee under the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, but said the board had not yet received specifics. “We don't have the details yet on how much exactly we will be getting, when exactly we will be getting it,” Kaley said.

The grant application proposed a five-year program to hire digital navigators to help community members with technology questions. Kaley said the application requested funding for staffing, some technology purchases, travel to a net inclusion conference and cohort training, and that the library would count staff supervision as in‑kind match. “That grant was set to roll out over the course of 5 years,” she said. The application planned to hire about three people, Kaley added.

Board members asked only for clarification on amount and staffing. One board member asked, “How much was the award for, Jenna?” Kaley replied the library had applied for around $1,200,000 but “we don't know how much the award was for.”

After discussion, a board member moved and another seconded a motion that “it is the intention of the board to accept the grant when it arrives.” The board approved the motion by voice vote; no roll-call or individual recorded votes were given.

Kaley said the National Digital Inclusion Alliance requested subgrantees hold a community celebration or ribbon-cutting and invite local, state and federal officials, but she asked the board to approve only the intent to accept funding before scheduling any public events.

The board’s approval does not bind the library to any particular event or final budget until the grant award documents arrive and specify the amount, schedule and conditions.