Tenn. Code § 10-1-301
There is hereby created the Tennessee Electronic Library which shall be administered by the office of the secretary of state, division of Tennessee state library and archives, which has the authority to coordinate the delivery of electronic databases and other similar services to all libraries, both public and private, within Tennessee which desire to participate in the Tennessee electronic library. The office of the secretary of state, through the division of the state library and archives, has the authority to contract with vendors, for the purpose of purchasing services under state rules and regulations, to administer and facilitate the operation of the Tennessee Electronic Library. Notwithstanding the appropriation of funds, the costs of funding the project during the initial year of operation may be paid out of funds existing within the department of state.
T.C.A. § 10-1-301