Training Opportunities for the Public (TOP) Grants
Forecasted
Training Opportunities for the Public (TOP) Grants support Tennessee public libraries with digital literacy instruction, hotspots, outdoor solar charging, and network upgrades to serve their communities.
Funder: Tennessee State Library & Archives
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $20,000; training has no match, other categories require 5%–20% local match
Summary: Supports Tennessee public libraries providing community digital literacy services through training, hotspots, solar charging stations, and internal connections.
Key Information: All participating libraries must provide public digital literacy training, even when requesting only equipment or connection funding.
Description
The Tennessee State Library & Archives (TSLA) offers Training Opportunities for the Public (TOP) Grants with support from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. The program helps public libraries across Tennessee provide community services by funding digital literacy instruction and technology resources.
Libraries may request support for training, mobile WiFi hotspots for patrons’ home use, outdoor solar charging stations, and internal network connections. Training topics should reflect community needs and interests and are subject to approval. Internal connection funding targets projects ready or close to installation, including small network upgrades and larger projects associated with construction. Public instruction remains part of every funded project, regardless of which spending categories a library selects.
