COLUMBIA — The Tyrrell County Library has been awarded a $1,500 grant to send Rachel Brown to the Association for Rural and Small Libraries conference in Alabama to better serve the community of Columbia.
Congrats, Tyrrell County librarian Rachel Brown!
The conference was supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-260837-OLS-26).
These federal funds are investments that help libraries deliver relevant, up-to-date services for their communities. At Tyrrell County Library, the LSTA grant allowed Brown to fly to Alabama, attend the conference, and stay in a hotel.
“Attending the Association for Rural and Small Libraries conference this year has given Rachel the opportunity to learn creative ways to strengthen services in a small-library setting, discover new resources and programs, and connect with other librarians who understand the needs of rural communities,” said Interim Region Libraries Director Michele Lawrence. “The connections made at the conference can also help share resources and expertise with other libraries, expanding what we can offer despite limited budgets. We are grateful for the LSTA grant that gave Rachel this opportunity.”
Tyrrell County Library received one of 46 competitive grants awarded to North Carolina libraries for fiscal year 2026-2027 from this year’s federal allotment. The LSTA grant program, administered by the State Library of North Carolina, funds library projects across the state that advance service and promote excellence through community engagement, expanded access, and responsive organizations.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Its mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. Through the LSTA Grants to States program, IMLS provides funds to state library agencies using a population-based formula. State libraries may use the appropriation to support statewide initiatives and services, and they may also distribute funds through competitive subgrants to public and academic libraries.
To learn more about the Institute, visit www.imls.gov. For more information about North Carolina’s LSTA program, visit the State Library of North Carolina’s LSTA web page at library.nc.gov/services-libraries/grants-libraries/lsta-grantinformation.
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