Library Initiative for Rural Communities

Thanks to a joint effort between the Office of the Secretary of State, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, computer technology resources and training will soon be coming to as many as 76 libraries in 61 rural Tennessee counties. The initiative is the culmination of more than a year’s effort by ECD and the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) division of the Office of the Secretary of State. ECD and TSLA recently attracted the attention and support of USDA Rural Development, resulting in the formation of a critical state-federal initiative that will have a significant impact on citizens in rural Tennessee.

The initiative will increase the capacity of rural libraries to provide workforce training and increase educational opportunities for the communities they serve. This will be accomplished by providing libraries with funds to set up computer training centers and hire instructors to teach basic computing skills for job-seekers. Economically disadvantaged rural counties with little or no access to high-speed Internet are being targeted. The announcement was made by ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber, Secretary of State Tre Hargett and USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Goode during the opening session of the Fifteenth Annual Rural Development Conference hosted by Tennessee Technological University.

"This partnership is one of the many ways ECD and the Office of the Secretary of State are working with USDA Rural Development to strengthen our rural communities," said Kisber. “Solid community development is the foundation for economic growth and is at the center of our economic development strategy.”

Approximately 76 rural public libraries across the state will be eligible to apply for a grant through their respective county to create or upgrade broadband-enabled computer labs, which will range from an estimated $13,000 to almost $20,000 depending on the local need and availability of existing resources. Funding will pay for seven to 12 new computers, all necessary peripheral equipment, a high-speed Internet router for each participating library and instructors to conduct training classes for the community.

To read the full press release on this initiative, click here.