The Cove Public Library has new computer equipment after receiving a grant from the Wildhorse Foundation.

The library received $2,000 to buy new computers, laptop and a printer and scanner. It’s likely the first technological upgrade the library has seen for more than a decade.

“This is the only source for people who don’t have the means to go to La Grande and use computers,” said Virginia Rager, president of the library board. “We’re a self supporting library.”

Rager said to get $2,000 out of their own funds would have been nearly impossible. Luckily, the Wildhorse Foundation supports educational organizations.

The computers are already set up for the community to use and, Rager said, you don’t have to be a library card holder to be able to use the new equipment.

The library volunteers also thought they would have to pay additional money to pay for the software, but they found an organization that will pay for that as well because its being used at the library.

“We’re learning as we go,” said Yvonne Oliver, who is there to greet the library patrons as they come into the building twice a week.

The speed will be a lot faster too, once everything gets installed correctly, Rager said.

The library is seeing a bit more money rolling in thanks to the Union County Commissioners doubling what the Cove library requested during its last budget sessions. The library received $5,000, instead of the $2,500 originally requested.

“We’re happy to take suggestions from people on what to do with the money,” Rager said.

The community is welcome to go and see the new equipment, as well as visit with the library’s volunteers on Dec. 12 at their annual Christmas Open House from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be punch, coffee and homemade cookies served and it’s part of the annual membership drive.

It’s a way to show the community what their local library has to offer.

The event is one of several the library holds to raise money. The Cove Cherry Fair and the garden tour are also major fundraising events.