Grants boost library services
The Betty Anne Jolly Norris Community Library has recently been awarded two grants to help it procure and maintain unusual items for lending, including portable Wi-Fi hot spots. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
That grant came from the state of Tennessee’s Training Opportunities for Public Libraries grant program, designed to support broadband-related library services.
“We circulate five Wi-Fi hot spots, which people can check out five days at no cost,” said library director Kimberlee Byrge.
“Each one provides portable Wi-Fi for up to 10 devices, as long as it is within the T-Mobile service area,” Byrge said. “They are very popular. People check them out for trips, or when they’re working where there is no Wi-Fi.”
The second grant, for $3,500, came from the Norris Area Community Foundation, and is meant to help pay for non-traditional items that the library buys to lend to patrons, Byrge said.
Combined with a partial match of $350 from the Friends of the Library, the grant will be used to “expand our library of ‘things’ andersoncountytn.gov/emergency-management/ anything that doesn’t meet the traditional definition of a book or DVD,” she said.
“We’ve purchased a device to inflate car tires, home audio devices, magnifying glasses, busy boards for babies, puzzles, board games, lawn games, a code reader for cars, jump starter for cars.”
One requirement of the training opportunities grant is that the library must offer “at least four computer classes per year,” Byrge said. “But we typically offer more than four a year. We also do a tech hour on Saturdays.
“We also offer one-on-one appointments for people who have more-involved [tech] questions.”
The state grants are funded through a partnership between the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
“Funding will be used to improve digital literacy, identify digital-equity gaps and educate community members on how broadband access drives economic development, telehealth and remote learning,” an announcement of the grants said.
Also receiving a grant in this area was the Oliver Springs Public Library, for $4,750.
