Have you ever heard of a library that did not have any books? Murfreesboro has the only bookless library in the state of Tennessee and one of the few in the United States.
The Technology Engagement Center (TEC), one of the six branches (plus a Bookmobile) within the Rutherford County Library System, is an all-digital public library. Built in 2018, it was the second library of its design in the United States and the first on the east side of the Mississippi.
Technology is rapidly changing, and that requires people and institutions to pivot. To keep true to its name, the TEC has encountered its share of changes. Murfreesboro built the TEC to “bridge the digital divide by computers for the public, provide internet connection for those who might not have it at home or might not have a strong connection at home, and provide business incubation utilizing the resources on site,” said Kathleen Tyree, branch manager of TEC.
Although you will not find books to check out at the TEC, you will find access to the “Library of Things”; this includes toys, games and the popular STEAM kits that you can check out with your library card, according to Tyree. The TEC still holds to much of its original intent, focusing on bridging the digital divide for the public.
Every Monday, local residents can bring tech devices that they may need help with, want to learn more about or have questions about, and speak with a Tech Coach. The TEC also offers computer coaches.
The Middle Tennessee State University library has a MakerSpace—a dedicated space to create—although that space is only for MTSU faculty, staff and trained students on the equipment.
The TEC has adopted a smaller MakerSpace, and that—the only MakerSpace in the Rutherford County Library System—has been a big attraction for those across the county to use.
“Our MakerSpace includes a recording studio, 3D printers, a Cricut, and a Glowforge. You can make things with paper, wood, vinyl, plastic or acrylic. There is a lot you can do. You only need your imagination,” said Tyree.
Libraries have long been a community staple, providing valuable information and resources, and, although it offers no books, TEC is no different. There you can take a class, get documents notarized, or use their printing service. Users can upload documents to their cloud, and TEC staff will print it off.
One of the unique summer programs the TEC offers is Science on the Patio, this center’s alternative to the typical summer reading program, because they do not have books on the shelves.
“We wait until the summer reading program is over, and then we offer some programming in July and August. It keeps going through the summer,” said Tyree, who has been with the Rutherford County Library System since 2009.
During the pandemic, when physical access was unavailable for several months, the TEC still provided access to resources to the community.
“When the demand was high, and people could not enter buildings to use them, we were able to utilize the patio space while social distancing and wearing protective gear to allow library card holders—some who came from other libraries—access to laptops, connect to the Wi-Fi, and do whatever it was they needed, including printing,” Tyree said.
Despite being bookless, TEC is another branch of the library system. Staffers can help you with the apps Libby and Hoopla and all the databases you can utilize with your library card. They have computers for internet access, classes and free meeting spaces. Also, library users can drop off or pick up materials at the TEC.
The TEC is open to everyone. The RCLS welcomes visitors and encourages them to use its resources, as long as they follow the listed rules of conduct. You must be 13 or older to be in the library without a parent or guardian.
The Technology Engagement Center is located at 306 Minerva Dr., Murfreesboro.
For more information, call 615-893-4131 or visit rclstn.org.
