Manatee County Libraries Receives $30,400 Grant

Bradenton FL

22 December, 2020

11:18 AM

Description

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Manatee County Libraries has received a $30,400 grant from the Bradenton COVID-19 Response Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation, MCL said in a news release. The funds will be used to purchase 30 new internet hotspots for the community to check out, as well as new audio and video equipment. Since the coronavirus pandemic first affected Florida in March, the Manatee County library system adapted quickly and found new ways to support the community, said Danielle Dankenbring, marketing specialist. "With the pandemic, obviously we aren't doing any programming at the library," she said. "We switched completely over to online programming." Nearly 10 months later, "virtually we're still doing quite a bit," she added. The library system hosts between 20 and 30 virtual events each month. These events are shared to the library's Facebook page and YouTube channel. Meanwhile, the system's book discussion groups meeting using Zoom. The new audio and visual equipment will allow the library "to enhance the digital offerings we're already doing," Dankenbring said. Coming up in the new year, Manatee libraries will present a series of computer and technology classes, and a monthly mindfulness and meditation workshop. Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Bradenton newsletters and real-time email alerts. Eventually, once the worst of the pandemic has passed, the equipment will be available for the public to use on their own creative and professional projects, she said. "It will be available for the community to use so they can create content for free." When many children in the community opted for remote learning through the public schools because of the pandemic, the library system bought 12 internet hotspots for circulation. They're available for Manatee County library members to check out. Though the hotspots are kept at the main library in downtown Bradenton, they can be picked up at any branch. The 30 additional hotspots will address the need in the community as many students continue to attend virtual classes at home because of COVID-19, Dankenbring said. "The ones that we have on hand are usually always checked out, so they're definitely something that the community is using and there's a need for them. So, we ordered more of them." The new hotspots will be available in January.