The Belle Plaine Public Library has received a grant for $6,725 from the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP). The Community Development Initiative grant is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The grant is one of 17 grants announced this week by HACAP. It is the only grant awarded in Benton County and the largest single grant awarded in the most recent announcement. HACAP serves a six-county area in Eastern Iowa.
Kristi Sorensen, Belle Plaine Library director, said the funds will go toward the purchase of six laptop computers and one desktop unit. The library offers wireless internet access and with the new units, which should be available by March, there will be six laptops and seven desktop computers available for use at the library.
In her grant application, Sorensen pointed out that with the recent closure of Benco Manufacturing, more displaced workers may need internet access in seeking new employment. She said it is also possible that with the new units, classes could be offered at the library on basic computer skills or other similar subjects.