Children’s Cabinet Awards Computers across the State

137 early literacy computer stations go to public libraries, family childcare programs

NASHVILLE – The Governor’s Children’s Cabinet co-chaired by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam has awarded 137 children’s computers to public libraries and family childcare programs across Tennessee.

The AWE Early Literacy Stations feature more than 60 educational software titles spanning seven curricular areas all focused on supporting early learning in children.  These educational programs use engaging graphics to draw young children to learning.

“Giving a child the necessary building blocks to learn to read is critical to a child’s education and future success, and it is exciting that so many communities across Tennessee took advantage of this opportunity,” Gov. Haslam said.

Computer station recipients were chosen through a competitive process run jointly by the Children’s Cabinet, the Tennessee State Library and Archives, and the state Department of Human Services. Computer award recipients demonstrated a commitment to promoting early literacy and engagement of families.  

“Children who have not developed some basic literacy skills by the time they enter school are 3-4 times more likely to drop out in later years.” Mrs. Haslam said. “We are excited to provide these valuable tools to boost early literacy in communities across Tennessee”

Computer stations have been awarded to selected public libraries in the following counties:

Anderson
Briceville Public Library

Bedford
Argie Cooper Public Library - Shelbyville

Benton
Benton County Library- Camden

Bradley
Cleveland Public Library

Campbell
Caryville Public Library
Jellico Public Library
LaFollette Public Library

Cannon
Cannon County Library System - Woodbury

Claiborne
Barbara Reynolds Carr Memorial Library -Tazewell

Clay
Clay County Public Library - Celina

Cocke
Stokely Memorial Library- Newport

Coffee
Lannom Memorial Public Library - Tullahoma

Decatur
Parsons Public Library

DeKalb
Justin Potter Library - Smithville

Dyer
Hamilton Parks Public Library - Trimble
McIver’s Grant Public Library - Dyersburg

Gibson
Gibson County Memorial Library - Trenton
Mildred G. Fields Memorial Library - Milan

Giles
Ardmore Public Library
Giles County Public Library - Pulaski

Grundy
Beersheba Springs Public Library

Hamilton
Collegedale Public Library - Ooltewah

Hardeman
Middleton Community Library

Henry
W.G. Rhea Public Library - Paris

Humphreys
Humphreys County Public Library - Waverly

Jefferson
Jefferson City Public Library
Dandridge Memorial Library
White Pine Public Library

Lake
Tiptonville Public Library

Lauderdale
Lauderdale County Library - Ripley

Lewis
Lewis County Public Library - Hohenwald

Loudon
Greenback Public Library
Philadelphia Public Library

Madison
Jackson-Madison County Library

Marion
May Justus Memorial Library - Monteagle

Marshall
Marshall County Memorial Library - Lewisburg

McMinn
Etowah Carnegie Library

Meigs
Decatur Public Library

Morgan
Coalfield Public Library
Wartburg Public Library

Obion
Obion County Public Library - Union City

Overton
Millard Oakley Public Library - Livingston

Putnam
Putnam County Public Library - Cookeville

Roane
Kingston Public Library
Rockwood Public Library

Robertson
White House Inn Library and Museum

Rutherford
Linebaugh Public Library System - Murfreesboro

Sevier
Sevier Co. Public Library System - Sevierville

Sumner
Westmoreland Public Library

Tipton
Tipton County Public Library - Covington

Trousdale
Fred A. Vaught Mem. Public Library - Hartsville

Unicoi
Unicoi County Public Library - Erwin

Union
Luttrell Public Library
Maynardville Public Library

Wayne
Wayne County Library - Waynesboro

Weakley
Dr. Nathan Porter Library - Greenfield
Sharon Public Library

White
White County Public Library - Sparta

Williamson
Bethesda Public Library - Thompson’s Station
 
Sixty-one family childcare programs located in East, Middle, and West Tennessee are also among computer station award winners. The stations were purchased with $381,000 of a $2.4 million federal grant. The mission of the Children’s Cabinet is to coordinate, streamline and enhance the state’s efforts to provide needed resources and services to Tennessee’s children. The computer station awards are a specific example of investing resources in Tennessee families and communities.