NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Sen. Shane Reeves, State Rep. Pat Marsh, and Secretary of State Tre Hargett today announced a Training Opportunities for the Public (TOP) Grant totaling $18.960 for the Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library. The funds will help cover the cost of digital literacy instructors and solar charging stations at the facility.

“The Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library plays an essential role in addressing our local technological needs,” said Sen. Reeves. “This grant will further increase access for citizens and guide them on their journeys to achieving successful futures. I’m excited about our library’s future and am proud to support its continued efforts to serve our community.”

TOP Grants are funded by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and are administered through the Secretary of State’s office.

“Providing access to important technology and training opportunities is a critical part of every library’s mission,” said Rep. Marsh. “This grant will benefit those in our community by enhancing the services that are available at the Shelbyville-Bedford County Library. I congratulate the library on receiving these funds and appreciate the dedicated staff who work diligently to make it all possible.”

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. Reeves and Rep. Marsh 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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