Milanof-Schock Library Receives LSTA Grant

March 11, 2004--The Milanof-Schock Library has received a $45,560 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant.  The library will use the grant to improve access by seniors and the homebound to both traditional and computer based library resources.  Pennsylvania State University’s Institute of State and Regional Affairs in Harrisburg will participate in the one-year project by providing evaluation of project success in achieving its goals.

Senior citizens make up about 32% of the population in the library’s service area.  At least 400 of these seniors are homebound.    The library will develop specific computer courses and a website for seniors, lend laptop computers to seniors, and deliver computer based and traditional library services to the homebound.

Library Director Herb Landau stated: "The MSL has designated seniors as a high priority target group because their education, information and recreation needs are not currently served by any other non-sectarian agency in our service area. Finally, technologically handicapped and homebound seniors in the five municipalities served by the Milanof-Schock Library can have access to public library service!" 

The State distributes Federal LSTA funds to local libraries through a competitive application process.  LSTA funds are aimed at two key priorities for libraries:  information access through technology and information empowerment through special services.  The PA Department of Education awarded more than $3 million in Federal LSTA grants to 77 libraries throughout the state in February 2004.

The project will achieve its goals through the implementation of four tasks:

· Development of Specific Computer Courses for Seniors;
· Development of a Specific Website for Seniors
· Lending of Laptop Computers to Seniors
· Delivery of Computer Based and Traditional Library Services to the Homebound

Persons interested in serving as volunteers, as well as seniors and homebound individuals who are interested in participating in this project, should contact the library, 1184 Anderson Ferry Rd., Mount Joy, 653-1510, www.mountjoy.lib.pa.us.

The Milanof-Schock Library (MSL) is the designated public library for the five municipalities encompassed by the Donegal School District in western Lancaster County, PA.  This includes, East Donegal Township, Marietta Borough, Mount Joy Borough, Mount Joy Township (eastern sector) and Rapho Township (southern sector).

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