Apache Junction Public Library Awarded Third CARES Act Grant

[NEWS RELEASE] The Apache Junction Public Library has received an additional $8,310 grant as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

It is the third grant received by the city through the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records.

The grant will be used to purchase four Wi-Fi access points to enable internet access in our parking lots and an indoor access point in the library staff area to improve the signal for the drive-up window doorbell.

“By bridging gaps in the digital divide, we expect to see an increase in library Wi-Fi use with the addition of outdoor access points resulting in better informed and happier patrons,” said Library Director Pam Harrison.

The library has received previous CARES Act funding to expand digital inclusion efforts and provide technical support.

The Arizona State Library received the CARES Act funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to support libraries in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. In March, Congress provided the agency a total of $50 million in the CARES Act to distribute to states and territories. The state of Arizona received $657,694 of that funding.

The state is in its third phase of funding, called CARES Supplemental, and offers sub-grants of up to $10,000 to Arizona libraries. In the third phase, the state library awarded $173,000 for more than 23 library projects across Arizona. Public, tribal and special libraries from 10 counties will use the funds to respond to the coronavirus and to expand digital access for their communities.

For more information on services at the Apache Junction Public Library, please visit ajpl.org or call (480) 474-8555.