The Tennessee State Library and Archives recently awarded more than $300,000 in technology grants to 114 public libraries across the state. The grants, which are distributed annually, are funded by Tennessee state government and a federal agency, the Institute of Museum and Library Services. In order to qualify, recipients must have dollar-for-dollar matching funds from their local governments.
The grants are used for the purchase of desktop and laptop computers, as well as other electronic equipment that library users and staff members may need.
The Library and Archives awarded $305,500 this year, with individual grants ranging from $350 to $15,000.
"In the age in which we live, libraries have become much more than places where people can check out books," Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. "Libraries are often an essential stop for people who don't have access to computers at home or at work. Libraries are often where people go to search for jobs, apply for unemployment benefits or get online training that helps them enhance their professional skills. I am proud that the Library and Archives has a role in providing funding that helps people get computer access."
Here's a complete list of all the grant recipients:
| Library | City | Total Funds |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Porter Public Library of Gatlinburg | Gatlinburg | $5,103.00 |
| Art Circle Public Library | Crossville | $7,146.00 |
| Audrey Pack Memorial Library | Spring City | $690.00 |
| Barbara Reynolds Carr Memorial Library | Tazewell | $350.00 |
| Benton County Public Library | Camden | $4,825.00 |
| Blaine Public Library | Blaine | $521.00 |
| Blount County Public Library | Maryville | $8,624.00 |
| Bobby Martindale Memorial Library | Grand Junction | $850.00 |
| Bolivar - Hardeman County Library | Bolivar | $1,889.00 |
| Bristol Public Library | Bristol | $12,443.00 |
| C. E. Weldon Public Library | Martin | $4,672.00 |
| Cannon County Library System | Woodbury | $2,822.00 |
| Carroll County Library | Huntingdon | $842.00 |
| Caryville Public Library | Caryville | $1,886.00 |
| Charles Ralph Holland Memorial Library | Gainesboro | $2,000.00 |
| Cheatham County Public Library | Ashland City | $2,249.00 |
| Chester County Library | Henderson | $2,398.00 |
| Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library | Clarksville | $4,474.00 |
| Clay County Public Library | Celina | $1,112.00 |
| Cleveland Public Library | Cleveland | $6,256.00 |
| Clinton Public Library | Clinton | $1,998.00 |
| Coalmont Public Library | Coalmont | $398.00 |
| Coffee County Lannom Memorial Public Library | Tullahoma | $3,414.00 |
| Coffee County Manchester Public Library | Manchester | $3,414.00 |
| Collegedale Public Library | Ooltewah | $2,866.00 |
| Crockett Memorial Library | Alamo | $1,397.00 |
| Dandridge Memorial Library | Dandridge | $368.00 |
| Dickson County Public Library and Lifelong Learning Center | Dickson | $6,776.00 |
| Dr. Nathan Porter Library | Greenfield | $1,170.00 |
| E. G. Fisher Public Library | Athens | $2,365.00 |
| Elizabethton - Carter County Public Library | Elizabethton | $1,947.00 |
| Elma Ross Public Library | Brownsville | $3,494.00 |
| Englewood Public Library | Englewood | $1,387.00 |
| Etowah Carnegie Library | Etowah | $1,002.00 |
| Fayetteville - Lincoln County Public Library | Fayetteville | $567.00 |
| Franklin County Library | Winchester | $1,464.00 |
| Friends of Hamilton Parks Public Library | Trimble | $445.00 |
| Gallatin Public Library of Sumner County | Gallatin | $2,910.00 |
| Gibson County Memorial Library | Trenton | $2,163.00 |
| Giles County Public Library | Pulaski | $2,195.00 |
| Gleason Memorial Library | Gleason | $624.00 |
| Greeneville - Greene County Public Library | Greeneville | $1,157.00 |
| H. B. Stamps Memorial Library | Rogersville | $2,324.00 |
| Halls Public Library | Halls | $460.00 |
| Hardin County Library | Savannah | $3,596.00 |
| Harriman Public Library | Harriman | $1,514.00 |
| Hendersonville Public Library of Sumner County | Hendersonville | $2,625.00 |
| Hickman County Public Library | Centerville | $4,585.00 |
| Houston County Public Library | Erin | $615.00 |
| Humboldt Public Library | Humboldt | $2,030.00 |
| Humphreys County Public Library | Waverly | $1,902.00 |
| Jackson - Madison County Public Library | Jackson | $8,800.00 |
| Jefferson City Public Library | Jefferson City | $2,390.00 |
| Jellico Public Library | Jellico | $862.00 |
| Johnson City Public Library | Johnson City | $15,000.00 |
| Johnson County Public Library | Mountain City | $2,000.00 |
| Justin Potter Library | Smithville | $1,130.00 |
| LaFollette Public Library | LaFollette | $1,412.00 |
| Lauderdale County Public Library | Ripley | $2,234.00 |
| Lawrence County Public Library | Lawrenceburg | $1,500.00 |
| Lebanon - Wilson County Library | Lebanon | $1,258.00 |
| Lee Ola Roberts Public Library | Whiteville | $1,652.00 |
| Lewis County Public Library | Hohenwald | $526.00 |
| Lexington - Henderson County Everett Horn Public Library | Lexington | $2,368.00 |
| Linebaugh Public Library | Murfreesboro | $7,110.00 |
| Macon County Public Library | Lafayette | $1,346.00 |
| Madisonville City Library | Madisonville | $2,242.00 |
| Marshall County Memorial Library | Lewisburg | $2,409.00 |
| May Justus Memorial Library | Monteagle | $1,833.00 |
| McIver's Grant Public Library | Dyersburg | $6,105.00 |
| McKenzie Memorial Library | McKenzie | $390.00 |
| Memphis Public Library & Information Center | Memphis | $8,850.00 |
| Middleton Community Library | Middleton | $1,617.00 |
| Mildred G. Fields Memorial Library | Milan | $3,470.00 |
| Millard Oakley Public Library | Livingston | $1,498.00 |
| Millersville Public Library of Sumner County | Goodlettsville | $2,761.00 |
| Minor Hill Public Library | Minor Hill | $350.00 |
| Moore County Public Library | Lynchburg | $1,462.00 |
| Morristown - Hamblen Library | Morristown | $2,395.00 |
| Nashville Public Library | Nashville | $6,195.00 |
| Ned R. McWherter Weakley County Library | Dresden | $1,570.00 |
| Newbern Public Library | Newbern | $1,809.00 |
| Niota Public Library | Niota | $1,500.00 |
| Obion County Public Library | Union City | $2,730.00 |
| Oliver Springs Public Library | Oliver Springs | $375.00 |
| Orena Humphreys Public Library | Whitwell | $2,372.00 |
| Parsons Public Library | Parsons | $1,804.00 |
| Perry County Public Library | Linden | $750.00 |
| Pigeon Forge Public Library | Pigeon Forge | $500.00 |
| Portland Public Library of Sumner County | Portland | $4,181.00 |
| Putnam County Library | Cookeville | $5,471.00 |
| Rockwood Public Library | Rockwood | $1,640.00 |
| Sevier County Public Library System | Sevierville | $4,554.00 |
| Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library | Shelbyville | $2,000.00 |
| Smith County Public Library | Carthage | $750.00 |
| Somerville - Fayette County Library | Somerville | $6,365.00 |
| South Cheatham Public Library | Kingston Springs | $769.00 |
| Stewart County Public Library | Dover | $4,307.00 |
| Stokes Brown Public Library | Springfield | $6,676.00 |
| Sullivan County Public Library | Blountville | $3,000.00 |
| Sweetwater Public Library | Sweetwater | $1,900.00 |
| Tellico Plains Public Library | Tellico Plains | $900.00 |
| Tiptonville Public Library | Tiptonville | $630.00 |
| Unicoi County Public Library | Erwin | $694.00 |
| Vonore Public Library | Vonore | $1,805.00 |
| W. G. Rhea Public Library | Paris | $2,402.00 |
| Washington County Jonesborough Library | Jonesborough | $1,299.00 |
| Wayne County Public Library | Waynesboro | $2,540.00 |
| Westmoreland Public Library of Sumner County | Westmoreland | $1,648.00 |
| White County Public Library | Sparta | $2,761.00 |
| White Pine Public Library | White Pine | $1,386.00 |
| William H. and Edgar J. Magness Community House & Library | McMinnville | $3,403.00 |
| Williamson County Public Library | Franklin | $5,170.00 |
| Winfield Public Library | Winfield | $350.00 |
| $305,500.00 |