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Commissioners approve submission of LSTA grant as library construction continues; RFID upgrade planned
Summary
Board approved submission of a federal LSTA grant application to fund a radio-frequency identification (RFID) upgrade for the new Lee County Library. County staff also updated commissioners on library construction progress and budget allocations.
The Lee County Board of Commissioners voted Monday to authorize submission of a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant application to the State Library of North Carolina to fund a radio-frequency identification (RFID) collection upgrade at the new Lee County Library.
Christopher Luker, assistant library director, and Beth (library staff) presented the RFID proposal and answered commissioners’ questions. Luker said the LSTA grant is a match grant administered by the State Library of North Carolina and funded by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The application requires a 25% local match; Luker said the library has about $22,500 already budgeted in the new-library project to cover most of the county match and that the county’s LSTA application is due March 1, with award notifications expected in June.
Luker described benefits of RFID: faster simultaneous checkout (patrons can place a stack of items on a pad), easier inventory and collection management with mobile readers, improved accessibility for the library-of-things and kits, and security gates that will sound if items pass through main entry gates without being checked out. He said the project plan includes inventory tags for items, staff inventory devices, three self-checkout stations, security gates at five main entry points, and training and software costs.
Brandon and project staff also provided a construction update: the library site is graded, foundation pads prepared and footers being installed, with structural steel delivery and assembly anticipated in spring; estimated completion was projected for spring 2026. Commissioners asked about maintenance, gate locations, and whether the system can be expanded later; Luker said vendors offer options and the system integrates with the county’s integrated library system.
After discussion, the board moved and approved submission of the 25/26 LSTA grant application for the RFID upgrade. County staff said implementation will begin at the current library to tag items and prepare for the move into the new facility.
