The Wellman-Scofield Library is getting quite the technological facelift thanks to the Washington County Riverboat Foundation.

The library received a grant of $9,688 for technology upgrades. Library Director Carol Wilkins says the morning after she received the grant she was ordering new computers, two of which will be specially programmed for children, “I’ve been trying to put together some kids computers, for little people. I had an old computer and I got an old monitor, and the computer was old and it didn’t run very fast and then we got a computer virus and I took the monitor to replace something else. So I really never had a kids computer and all I had sitting out here was a keyboard and the kids love to play with the keyboard. I wanted to get some computers, I mean, they’re using computers in preschool and kindergarten, and I wanted to load it up with stories and educational games so that when they come to the library they have something to use and play with and get used to using the computer. Now I’m actually going to buy two really nice computers for them to be able to use.”

Wilkins plans on purchasing 13 computers total, including Chromebooks for the board of trustees, two desktops, and two laptops for people to use within the library. Wilkins explains the importance of computers for library patrons of any age, “Kids are starting to use computers in kindergarten, and even though the kids are using them there’s a lot of older people in our community that don’t have computers, don’t have wifi, so they still come in. If you want to apply for a job almost every place wants you to do it online. If you’re applying for unemployment you have to do it online. If you want to order something you have to do it online. We need to have it here so people can be able to do those everyday things that they want to do.”

Wilkins also plans to purchase new carrel desks for added privacy to the desktop computers, new chairs, a new rug for the children’s area, and a wireless router that will track the number of people who use their wifi for accreditation purposes.