NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Sen. Steve Southerland, State Rep. Jeremy Faison, and Secretary of State Tre Hargett today announced Training Opportunities for the Public (TOP) Grant funding totaling $13,553 for public libraries in Cocke County. Grant recipients and award amounts include:
- $9,681 for Parrottsville Community Library for digital literacy instructors and internal internet connections.
- $3,872 for Stokely Memorial Library for digital literacy instructors and Wi-Fi hotspots.
“Public libraries play a vital role in promoting literacy and lifelong learning,” said Sen. Southerland. “This grant funding will allow libraries to continue offering high-quality programs and services to all members of the community.”
TOP Grants are funded by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and are administered through the Secretary of State’s office.
“Libraries provide access to critical services that enhance education and connectivity in our communities,” said Rep. Faison. “These investments will ensure they can continue to meet the public’s evolving needs. I congratulate both libraries on receiving these grants and look forward to the positive results they will have in Cocke County.”
TOP grant funding is available for Tennessee public libraries to address unique needs within their communities. Grants can be used for digital literacy training, hotspots, solar charging stations, and increased internet access at the library facility.
“Thank you to Sen. Southerland and Rep. Faison for their continued advocacy and support of local libraries. They know that increasing access to technological services for Tennesseans is an important function of our local libraries,” said Secretary Hargett. “This grant enhances efforts to better address the needs of library patrons in the community this facility serves.”
This year, more than $394,000 in TOP Grant funding is being awarded to increase access to technology at 60 public libraries across Tennessee.
To learn more about grants for public libraries administered by the Library & Archives, visit https://sos.tn.gov/tsla.
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