NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Sen. Page Walley, State Rep. Kip Capley, State Rep. Clay Doggett, and Secretary of State Tre Hargett today announced a Training Opportunities for the Public (TOP) Grant totaling $20,000 for the Lawrence County Public Library The funds will help cover the cost of internal internet connections at the facility.

“This substantial grant has the power to ensure more of our citizens get connected to digital resources to help them learn and grow,” said Sen. Walley. “We are excited for the future of the Lawrence County Public Library and the opportunities this funding will provide, knowing our local facility is better prepared to address immediate, emerging, and long-term needs. I appreciate Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s help in facilitating this grant fund.”

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 many unique and valuable services that citizens rely on every day,” said Rep. Doggett and Rep. Capley in a joint statement. “This significant investment will ensure the Lawrence County Public Library can continue to best meet the needs of residents in our community.”

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. Walley, Rep. Capley, and Rep. Doggett 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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