A $20,000 technology grant has been awarded for the Chattanooga Public Library from the Tennessee State Library and Archives. The Collegedale Public Library will also receive a $4,752 grant for desktops and children’s workstations.
Technology grants are available for public libraries to replace or purchase technology, including computers, software, networking hardware or peripherals.
Hamilton County lawmakers, State Senators Todd Gardenhire and Bo Watson, and Reps. Robin Smith, Patsy Hazlewood, Yusuf Hakeem, Mike Carter and Esther Helton, joined to make the announcement after being notified by Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett.
“Access to technology is something many of us take granted,” Secretary Hargett said. “Our public libraries across the state play a pivotal role in connecting Tennesseans. I’m proud of the role the Tennessee Library and Archives plays in increasing access to technology and education across the entire state.”
“Libraries are an essential place for people to go when they don’t have access to computers at home or work,” said Senator Gardenhire. “It is especially important for those who need to search for jobs, apply for unemployment benefits or get online training that helps them enhance their skills. I am proud to support this grant.”
“Leveraging technology is a key strategy of the modern library and I congratulate our local library officials for on their successful grant application,” added Senator Watson. “This grant will go a long way toward upgrading our library technology and providing vital access to computers and the Internet.”
“Congratulations to Chattanooga Public Library and Collegedale Public Library on securing this important grant funding,” said Reps. Smith, Hazlewood, Hakeem, Carter, and Helton. “These strong investments will help modernize our local libraries and provide important training opportunities that will benefit future generations of our citizens.”
The State Library and Archives is awarding more than $350,000 in technology grants across the state.