Wilkes Community College Pardue Library Receives $37,815 Library Services and Technology Act Grant
Wilkesboro, N.C. – Wilkes Community College has been awarded $37,815 through the 2026–2027 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant program, providing funding to support library services and resources for WCC students and the communities it serves through the Pardue Library.
The grant was awarded by the Library of North Carolina, a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, through federal funding provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). WCC was among 46 libraries and library organizations across North Carolina selected to receive funding through the 2026–2027 LSTA grant cycle.
LSTA grants support projects that address specific needs of libraries and their users while advancing services, expanding access and promoting excellence through community engagement and responsive organizations. Community college libraries are eligible to compete for LSTA funding through the program.
“This grant is an important investment in the students and communities we serve,” said Dr. Mike Rodgers, president of Wilkes Community College. “Our library plays an important role in student success, providing access to information, technology, resources and services that support learning both inside and outside the classroom. We appreciate the Library of North Carolina and the Institute of Museum and Library Services for recognizing the importance of these services and investing in our students.”
Through the grant, Pardue Library will add 40 new computer workstations for students, including 10 with dual monitors to support e-textbooks, research, writing and tutoring. The project also adds high-performance PCs and iMacs equipped for professional graphic design and CAD software, expanding access for students in graphic design and technical programs. The updated technology will provide reliable, modern workstations for individual study, group projects, tutoring sessions and the increasing number of classes using the library.
The 2026–2027 LSTA grant period began July 1, 2026. Grant-funded activities will help WCC strengthen library services and provide additional resources and opportunities for the college community.
“Libraries continue to evolve alongside the needs of the people they serve,” said Christy Earp, director of Library Services at Wilkes Community College. “This funding gives us an opportunity to build on what we already provide and make our library an even stronger resource for our students and our community.”
LSTA grants are awarded in response to identified needs of North Carolina’s public and academic libraries. According to the Library of North Carolina, the federal funds represent an investment in libraries’ ability to deliver relevant, up-to-date services to their communities.
For more information about Library Services at Wilkes Community College, visit wilkescc.edu/library.
This publication/activity/program was supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the Library of North Carolina, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-260837-OLS-26).
