More e-books and faster Internet speeds to download them are coming soon to the Catoosa County Library.
At its most recent meeting, the Catoosa County Commission approved the contract for faster Internet service with Ringgold Telephone Company that will take effect this summer along with a $4,500 annual subscription to a new e-book provider system.
“Our patrons will have access to over 8,000 downloadable books,” said library Director Darla Chambliss. “They can download and read on any device.”
Library patrons already have access to e-books at the library, but she said the system available is awkward and limited in scope. The new system, called OverDrive, provides more options and is recommended by the state, she added.
Other upgrades
Chambliss also asked for the commission’s permission to apply for several facilities upgrade grants provided by the state. If awarded, those grants could bring as much as $146,000 to the library that the county would be asked to match.
Some of the possible upgrades include new HVAC units; upgrades to the building’s brick masonry, paint and grading; upgrades for the ADA accessible restrooms; new sliding doors; and replacement flooring.
“We don’t have to do all of these. You can pick and choose,” noted Carl Henson, the county’s chief financial officer. “Some of these we will end up having to do with or without the grant.”
From the grants that are awarded by the state, he said the commission can select which ones it would like to fund.
“Let’s look in our maintenance SPLOST and see if we have anything available there,” suggested Catoosa County Chairman Keith Greene. “It doesn’t hurt us to apply for the grants. We can pick and choose a la carte what we can fund. I recommend we fund out of SPLOST since we didn’t budget out of general fund.”
Chambliss said she would alert the commission when grants are awarded, which will likely be later this year.