Executive

The Civil War has touched the life of almost every U.S. citizen but connecting families with complete records can present challenges. On Saturday, May 4, the Tennessee State Library and Archives will host a free workshop entitled, “Cross Connections to the Civil War.” Presenter J. Mark Lowe will demonstrate how to search and use the wide variety of records available through the Tennessee State Library and Archives – including records from the Grand Army of the Republic, United Confederate Veterans, United States Colored Troops, Confederate and Union Army pensions, Southern Claims Commission, court martials, newspaper accounts, unit histories, letters to governors and presidents, diaries and more. Participants can expect to leave with knowledge and tools to draw a more complete picture of their Civil War ancestor and family history.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett today announced the 2019-2020 edition of the Tennessee Blue Book will be dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee State Library and Archives later this month will host a workshop on the newly-redesigned Tennessee Virtual Archive (TeVA). The free online repository of Tennessee’s history, containing thousands of digitized historic items from the collections of the Library and Archives was overhauled in 2018 to make it mobile-friendly and more accessible to the public. TeVA contains valuable collections, such as photographs, documents, maps, postcards, audio, and video. Digital Materials Librarian Jennifer Randles will take attendees on a tour of the new website and demonstrate how to make the most of TeVA, including navigating, browsing, searching, viewing and downloading. Participants will learn how to quickly find what they need in TeVA’s collections and view some of the many items available via the website. Prior to joining the Tennessee State Library and Archives, Randles worked at Scripps Networks Interactive and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Libraries. She holds a master’s degree in information science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The workshop will be held from 9:30 – 11 a.m., Saturday, March 23, in the auditorium of the Library and Archives, located at 403 7th Ave. N. in Nashville. While the workshop is free, reservations are required due to limited seating. To make a reservation, visit https://tevatalk.eventbrite.com.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett today was joined by members of the General Assembly, advocates for domestic violence victims and other stakeholders to announce the introduction of the Tennessee Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program. Tennessee now joins the more than 35 other states offering similar domestic violence safety programs.

The Tennessee Regional eBook and Audiobook Download System (TN R.E.A.D.S.) database has been recognized as one of the most used library services in the world. In 2018, TN R.E.A.D.S. circulated 3.7 million digital e-books, audiobooks, and videos to public library patrons throughout Tennessee.

The Tennessee State Library and Archives announced its newest exhibit, Governors of Tennessee, in conjunction with the 2019 Gubernatorial Inauguration. Governors of Tennessee, opens to the public Jan. 8 and will run through spring 2019. The exhibit features information and materials from the Library and Archive’s extensive collections. Visitors will experience a visual timeline, with a special focus on each of the 49 governors throughout Tennessee’s history beginning with John Sevier (1796) and ending with Bill Haslam (2019).