The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library is slated to receive $10,000 in grant funds this year to purchase computers and other technology-related equipment.
The library is one of 88 in 64 Tennessee counties that are scheduled to receive technology grants from the Tennessee Department of State, which total $200,500 statewide, according to a news release. The grants are expected to go toward about 230 personal computers, 36 laptops, 36 wireless networking stations, 15 software packages and other tech-related items.
“Particularly during tough economic times, it is important that our public libraries have the resources citizens need,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said in the release. “In many communities across our state, particularly in rural areas, public libraries are the only free source of Internet access people have.”
Mr. Hargett said Internet access assists people who are filing for unemployment benefits, conducting job searches and trying to make themselves more competitive in the work force through new skills learned through online program.
State Sen. Bo Watson said computer access is quickly becoming “a necessity, not a luxury.”
“So I am glad these grants will help make more computers available for public use,” he said.