Laptops will soon be on the horizon for the Richmond Hill Public Library as library officials wrap up purchasing details with funds from a recent grant.

The library received a $15,000 grant in February that former library assistant manager Maike George applied for late last year with the intention of buying laptops so the library could offer classes to the public.

Originally, the library had hoped to have the computers and classes ready by now. However, Jennifer Durham, assistant director of Affiliated Libraries with the Statesboro Regional Library System, said the grant came as a total surprise. And because it was such a surprise, she said there was no purchase plan in place at the time of the award.

Library officials have been working together to come up with a purchase plan to buy the laptop computers on state contract, Durham said. She added that the laptops should be purchased shortly after the beginning of the new fiscal year, which began Friday.

“Our headquarters has all purchase orders on a freeze to let them clear, and in July they’ll open purchasing back up and we’ll be able to make our choices and place the order,” she said.

Durham said once the order is placed, delivery will depend on where they order the computers from. She anticipates the dozen computers will arrive sometime this month, so they can be set up and functioning properly to begin classes in the fall.

Read more in the July 2 edition of the News.