Several Smith County libraries will benefit from a total of $22,000 in grants awarded through the Tyler Library Foundation Fund, administered by the East Texas Communities Foundation.
The annual grants support library programming, technology upgrades, educational initiatives, and expanded access to resources for residents throughout the county.
Among the 2026 recipients, the Whitehouse Community Library received funding for its Summer Reading Program, while the Cameron-J. Jarvis Troup Municipal Library was awarded funds to upgrade patron computers. The Bullard Community Library received support for LIBBY digital book updates, patron computer improvements, and new book purchases. The Lillie Russell Memorial Library was awarded funding to update its book collection, and Smith County Area Libraries Together received funding for Wi-Fi hotspots and children’s programming. The Tyler Public Library received support to expand its makerspace program.
In addition to project-specific grants, each participating library received funding for two Wi-Fi hotspots to help improve internet access for patrons.
The Tyler Library Foundation Fund was established in 2009 to support community libraries throughout Smith County. Each spring, a grant review committee evaluates requests and recommends projects that enhance library services and educational opportunities across the region.