Your county library and county archives may be eligible for grant funding from the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) — and the application process is more straightforward than you might expect. TSLA administers programs specifically designed for Tennessee's county and municipal governments that can expand library services and protect historically significant records, often at little to no cost to your budget.
Funding for Your County Library: The TOP Grant
The Training Opportunities for the Public (TOP) Grant helps county public libraries expand technology access and digital literacy services for residents. Funded by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and administered by the Secretary of State’s office, TOP grants are available for up to $20,000 per library.
Your county library can use these funds for:
- Computers, tablets, and public-use technology
- Internet infrastructure — network upgrades, Wi-Fi hotspots, and improved connectivity
- Digital literacy instruction — instructor costs and training resources for the public
Training funds are non-competitive, meaning every eligible library that applies receives them. Hardware and software funding is awarded competitively based on application scores. All participating libraries are expected to offer digital literacy training to the public during the grant period.
Grant contracts for the current cycle run from July 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027.
County libraries across Tennessee have put these funds to work in practical ways — solar charging stations, computer workstations, hotspots for patrons, and upgraded internet connections. These are the kinds of improvements residents see and use directly.
Learn more: sos.tn.gov/tsla/services/grants-public-libraries
Funding for Your County Archives: Two Grant Options
TSLA administers two separate grants for county archives, both aimed at helping local governments preserve records and make them more accessible to the public.
Local Digitization Grant — Up to $5,000
The Local Digitization Grant is open to any government entity that holds permanent, historically valuable archival collections. There is no match requirement, and funds are provided through the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Eligible uses include:
- Technology — hardware, software, and peripherals to create online digital collections
- Training — registration costs for workshops or webinars on conservation or digitization
- Vendor services — contracting with a vendor for digitization or conservation work (a vendor quote is required with the application)
Archives Development Grant — Up to $10,000
The Archives Development Grant is specifically for official county archives and provides up to $10,000 for improvements to storage conditions, operations, or public accessibility of your archival collections. This grant is funded by the Tennessee General Assembly.
To be eligible, your county archives program should appear as a line item in the county budget, and your Public Records Commission should be actively meeting. If either of those isn’t in place yet, it’s worth addressing — both are good governance practices beyond the grant itself.
Both grants share an application deadline of August 15, 2025, and applications must be submitted through Submittable.
Learn more: sos.tn.gov/tsla/services/grants-local-archives-and-museums
Worth the Time to Apply
None of these grants require a local match, and they represent real dollars that extend investments your county is likely already making in library services and records management. If you’re not sure whether your county qualifies or where to start, TSLA’s Archives Development Program staff are available to visit your community and help you get the groundwork in place.
Contact them at adp.tsla@tn.gov or reach TSLA at (615) 741-2764.