Library awarded local grant for digital literacy; commissioners declare September library-card sign-up month

Sampson County commissioners heard a public-information report that county library and extension staff secured a local grant to support digital-literacy work and approved a proclamation designating a September library-card sign-up period.

Kelsey Edwards, speaking in the public-information portion of the meeting, said the county libraries and the extension office received grant support from the Mid Carolina Council (the exact award amount as read in the record was unclear). "Grant funds will be used to purchase laptops, tablets, and mobile [hotspot] resources to support and provide needed access to Internet connectivity for residents," Edwards said. She described training that the extension office will provide on essential digital tasks such as email and health-care portals.

The board also adopted a proclamation recognizing a countywide library-card sign-up effort in September. A library representative described a recent donation of $18,511.69 from an estate to a library account; staff said some of that gift would support playground upgrades, fee waivers and other local library needs.

Why it matters: staff said the grant and donated funds are targeted at improving access to devices and connectivity in rural and underserved parts of the county and at supporting library services that bolster education, workforce development and digital access.

The board voted to adopt the proclamation and to approve making September the annual county library-card sign-up month. Staff asked residents to contact the county library for specifics about the grant-funded items and planned digital-skills sessions.

No detailed grant agreement or full budget was read into the record; the meeting transcript did not include a line-by-line award amount or a complete grant document.