A federal grant in the amount of $67,048 has been awarded to the Red Bank Public Library to adopt new measures that will improve library service to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic or other crisis, said Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) today.

  “Library access was—and continues to be—impacted by COVID restrictions and protocols,” said Smith who represents Red Bank and 33 other Monmouth County towns.

“This grant will help library users in the Red Bank community to access services while still maintaining social distancing, aid those who don't have internet service at home, and make these resources available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These improvements will allow the library to provide virtual programs to more library users during the COVID-19 recovery period. The library staff is to be commended for developing a new and timely plan to address the needs of the public,” he said.

  The grant comes via the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, the primary source of federal funding for the nation's libraries and museums. The funding comes through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, passed by Congress in March 2020, and the legislation’s Grants of Museums and Libraries provisions. Red Bank was one of 21 libraries across the nation selected by the Institute to receive the grants last week.

   The library will use the funds to help deliver better access to the internet, new programs and digital resources. The improvements will result in greater Internet bandwidth, upgraded hardware and software and 20 new Chromebooks for checking out.  The grant will fund new, secure outdoor “contactless pick-up” lockers of various sizes which can be used by as many as 24 cardholders at a time to pick up books or other materials at their convenience, including after hours, shielded from the weather and locked to prevent vandalism, and under camera surveillance.

   Eleni Glykis, Director of Red Bank Public Eisner Memorial Library, expressed appreciation for Smith’s support of the grant and stressed how the federal funds will help enhance access to Red Bank Library resources for library users. She noted that in the initial shutdown phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the library facility had to close its doors. But as library staff rapidly transitioned to running an all-virtual library, it quickly became apparent that more resources were needed to best serve the Red Bank community during a crisis.

   “The Red Bank Public Library is thrilled to be the recipient of this grant and is excited to use the funds to bridge the digital divide, expand access to information to everyone in our community, and to provide these services to all even in the event of an emergency,” said Director Glykis.

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