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How Christina Sacco and the Chattanooga Public Library staff use humor, human connection to build a trusted brand | Chattanooga Times Free Press

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Monday, November 3rd 2025 at 3:36 GMT by Chattanooga Times Free Press
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From Startup to Storytelling

Sacco’s background is a blend of entrepreneurship and civic‑service. After a decade in the tech industry, she accepted a role at CPL in 2021, drawn by the promise of reshaping a traditional public institution into a place that could truly meet the needs of a 21st‑century city. “I was looking for an impact‑oriented job,” she says in the article, citing her work with non‑profits in underserved neighborhoods and her belief that libraries should be the backbone of digital literacy. Her first priority, according to the piece, was to audit the library’s digital assets and infrastructure.

The Digital Literacy Hub: A New Mission Statement

Sacco’s signature project—the Digital Literacy Hub—has turned CPL’s basement into a state‑of‑the‑art makerspace, complete with 3‑D printers, laser cutters, a robotics lab, and a “code‑with‑me” corner. The article references the CPL website, where Sacco’s blog explains how the Hub’s mission is “to empower citizens with the skills to navigate, create, and critique the digital world.” To fund the Hub, the library secured a $1.2 million grant from the state’s Office of Technology & Innovation, as noted in a linked grant‑announcement PDF included in the story. A portion of the grant also funded a “Digital Citizenship” curriculum that partners local schools in an after‑school program.

Partnerships that Broaden Impact

The Times Free Press piece goes beyond CPL’s own announcements to explore the wider ecosystem that has come to bear on the initiative. One link leads to a city council report on Chattanooga’s “Digital Divide” that cites CPL’s success in increasing broadband access for low‑income residents. Another directs readers to a local tech firm’s press release announcing a sponsorship that supplies hardware for the makerspace and offers internship opportunities for students.

Sacco’s collaboration with Chattanooga Community College has also been highlighted. The article quotes a college dean who says the partnership “has opened a pipeline for students who want to pursue tech careers but lack resources.” In turn, CPL has hosted the college’s first free “Intro to Robotics” night, drawing over 200 participants in its inaugural month.

Programs that Speak to All Ages

The story lists several programs that have been launched under Sacco’s leadership. For children, the “Code & Play” series invites families to an interactive coding workshop that ends with a small robotics challenge. Teenagers can take the “Future Makers” bootcamp, a four‑week course covering everything from app development to digital storytelling. Adults benefit from the “Tech for Good” seminars, where they learn to manage finances on mobile apps, secure passwords, or use cloud storage for family photos.

The article underscores the significance of these programs with a feature of a 12‑year‑old named Maya, who says she’s “finally getting to understand how the world works.” Another highlighted success story is of a retired teacher who, after a “Digital Literacy for Seniors” class, began volunteering in the makerspace, mentoring younger patrons.

The Metrics of Success

The Times Free Press piece cites data points that quantify the Hub’s impact. After a year, the library reported a 35 % increase in digital resource checkouts, a 22 % uptick in website traffic, and a 50 % rise in attendance at community events. A survey linked in the article (attached as a PDF) indicates that 87 % of respondents felt more confident in using technology after attending a library program. The story also notes that the library’s social‑media following grew from 1,500 to over 12,000 followers, thanks to the “#LearnAtCPL” campaign.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Sacco herself acknowledges that the transformation has not been without obstacles. The article quotes her on budgetary constraints: “Funding for tech is volatile; we’re constantly negotiating with donors to keep the machines humming.” Staffing is another hurdle—Sacco hired a part‑time Digital Facilitator, but the library is still short on full‑time tech specialists. The piece also mentions community skepticism: a small group of long‑time patrons complained that the new focus on technology had displaced classic book‑reading spaces. In response, CPL now offers a “Reading & Tech” hybrid program that pairs a book discussion with a related tech workshop.

Looking ahead, the article projects that CPL will expand its Digital Literacy Hub into a regional model, partnering with libraries in neighboring counties. Sacco’s vision is to create a network where patrons can “swap skills and resources” across town, thereby amplifying impact. The story ends on an optimistic note, noting that CPL has already been shortlisted for the “National Library Innovation Award,” a recognition that could bring additional funding and visibility.

Bottom Line

Through the Times Free Press article, readers see how Christina Sacco has steered the Chattanooga Public Library from a quiet repository of books into a bustling center of digital empowerment. By integrating technology, forging partnerships, and prioritizing community outreach, Sacco and CPL are redefining what it means to be a public library in the digital age—an institution that not only preserves knowledge but actively equips its citizens to create, innovate, and connect.