Jefferson County Libraries Receive Census Grant And Hotspots

Jefferson County Libraries Receive Census Grant And Hotspots

The Jefferson County Public Library System is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a grant to help further the county’s efforts for a complete census count.

For the first time ever, the census has gone online, which librarian Bethany Hopkins noted is especially a problem for Jefferson County. “We have a big broadband accessibility problem here,” she stated. “Online paperwork can be difficult, especially when you have a data limit or can only access the internet via a cell phone. But the libraries can help with all of that.”

The grant, sponsored by the Tennessee State Office of Criminal Justice Projects, provided the library system with $8,750 in funding to purchase laptops, wifi hotspots and other supplies to host a series of census fairs at the four libraries. Librarians and census workers will help people to complete their census online, and care packages with snacks, masks, hand sanitizer and more will be available while supplies last. Masks are required for one-on-one assistance.

There are several opportunities to attend:

  • Dandridge Memorial Library: Thursday, September 3 from 10:30am-6:30pm
  • Jefferson City Public Library: Tuesday, September 22 to Saturday, September 26, with a kiosk available through the end of the month during normal business hours
  • Parrott-Wood Memorial Library: September 1-30 during normal business hours
  • White Pine Public Library: Friday, September 18 from 8:30am-3pm

If you can’t make it to one of the programs, all four libraries now have wifi hotspots available to check out and take with you. Anyone over 18, who has been a library patron for six months or more and is in good standing (fines under $5 and no lost items) can check one out for $7 a week.

All four libraries are now open for in person service, with new procedures in place for Covid 19 prevention. For more information about the census, checking out a wifi hotspot or anything else the libraries offer, visit www.jcpls.org.