This strategic planning effort brings the quality education from the Tennessee Board of Regents’ 6 Universities, 13 community colleges and 27 technology centers to each of Tennessee’s nearly 300 public libraries.“Most Tennesseans simply do not live in a community that has a college or technical school so it is difficult for them to attend traditional classes,” said Putnam County Library Director Diane Duncan. “But most communities do have a public library, which makes the partnership between our libraries and RODP a natural fit.” Duncan said the “community classroom” the public library provides is now a personal classroom to many Putnam County residents,more than 18,500 of whom visit the library each month. “We are basically supplying the facility and the equipment to go back and finish your degree, or to pursue a degree for the first time,” she said.

The visible proof of the life-long learning initiative is found in informative, colorful standup displays that promote the program, which the Board of Regents this summer sent as a gift to each public library. The Putnam County Library is one of the many libraries in 64 Tennessee Counties offering information about another successful partnership, the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a pre-k literacy program that provides free books to children from birth to age five, regardless of income.

“We know we have an extraordinary program to offer in RODP, and we want to be sure that word gets out and that we are partnering with as many life-long learning supporters as possible,” said Kevin Liska, director of the Tennessee Tech University BusinessMedia Center and RODP marketing coordinator. “It is never too early to start learning, and it is certainly never too late to continue.”

In 2000, the Tennessee Board of Regents' colleges, universities, and technology centers joined to offer the Regents Online Degree Programs and the Regents Online Continuing Education and Workforce Development. All institutions are fully accredited. Students are able to choose the college or university (home campus) for their admission, registration, and the award of their degree.

RODP currently serves more than 9000 students, has developed five purely online degree programs and was recently named one of the Top Three Virtual Programs in the Nation by the Center for Academic Transformation.