LOGAN — The American Rescue Plan Administration was passed by Congress on March 10, 2021 and signed into law the next day.
As part of their pandemic response, they recently awarded the Logan Library a $15,000 Reach Out Grant. Library director Karen Clark talked about what that means for the library.
“Mrs they asked us, ‘how could we use some funds to help our patrons during COVID?’ We had just come out of COVID, and we were getting ready to close down the library at that point, to move to our temporary location. We needed funds to be able to buy such things as…we bought this electric bike with a trailer, and we built a bookcase to go on it. And then, this summer we have taken it to various parks,” said Clark.
That way people can check out items on their mobile book bike. They have also used it at other locations such as the Cache Valley Gardeners Market.
Clark said they also purchased canopies so that they could set up Storytimes to go along with that in local parks.
“We also used the funds to buy electronic equipment so that we could improve our outdoor presence, so we have speakers, we have a projector, we have a screen that you can see when you’re outside. So, we called it ‘everything that you need to use, so when you’re outside and you want to be a part of the library still.’ It’s been really fun…we’ve had patrons follow us from park to park.”
As for the new library, the construction continues at the north Main location, although they have had some delays.
“We had a few problems at the beginning with the cement, because, as you know, we were experiencing a powder shortage. But our construction manager is Hogan Construction, and they have done a wonderful job of trying to keep on track, keeping busy. So we’ve got the steel going, it’s almost done, and things are going quickly. It will be awesome.“
She said they are still aiming for next summer for the building to be completed.
Clark said with the construction right downtown on Main Street, everyone has a front row view of what’s happening and patrons seem excited about the new three-story structure.