Hello!

On March 30^th, the federal government signed the CARES Act, which in part gives $50 million in corona virus funds to IMLS for museums and libraries. The idea behind the funds is to enable libraries to “prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, including by expanding digital network access, purchasing Internet accessible devices, and providing technical support services to their communities”. The following are the points of access IMLS sees as needs:

Information about the virus, government, and community safety messages
Telemedicine
Job and unemployment resources

Since we’re waiting to hear from IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) on how the $50 Million to the states as part of the CARES Act will be distributed, I like to get some opinions from you on what the state should focus on.

Now is a great time to formulate our game plan and what our focus (or foci) should be. What are your ideas? Here are the questions I’m asking myself:

Regarding grant to public libraries:

What do they need?
What could they use?
What do their communities lack?

Where could we and the libraries make the most impact?

Thanks in advance for your ideas and suggestions!

Jennifer

Jennifer Cowan-Henderson
Director of Planning and Development
State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries

Tennessee State Library and Archives
Office of Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett
403 7th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37243
p 615-741-1923
f 615-532-9904
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