Nashville Public Library Named 'Library of the Year'

The Library Journal, a publication that exists, has named the Nashville Public Library the 2017 Library of the Year, recognizing its "profound service to community, creativity, leadership, and innovation in developing community programs."

The Journal says "in the scope of its programs, services, and collections; the incredible reach of its efforts in cooperation with other public agencies, departments, and local businesses; and its work to identify and fulfill needs of both the mainstream and marginalized people of Nashville and Davidson County, the Nashville Public Library (NPL), the Gale/LJ 2017 Library of the Year, is a model for the nation and the world."

“This is an honor for our library, for our dedicated staff, and for Nashville and Davidson County,” Nashville Public Library director Kent Oliver says. “I want to thank our patrons, elected officials, employees, volunteers, the Nashville Public Library Foundation, the Friends of the Library, and all our supporters."

Some more info on the NPL's work from the release:

Nashville Public Library serves a community of nearly 700,000 residents through its 21 locations across the city. With a staff of more than 350, plus almost 600 volunteers, the library has encouraged more than 3.3 million visits and answered nearly 300,000 questions over the last year. These statistics reflect an impressive level of engagement by its users, but more importantly, lead to learning outcomes for the Nashville community. The library fosters a love of reading and learning through innovative storytelling programs that incorporate the city’s history. Through its renowned Civil Rights Room and Collection, its citywide book club” Nashville Reads” and the Bringing Books to Life! initiative, the library is able to use stories to engage the community in learning.

Mayor Megan Barry celebrated the award in a statement of her own:

“Congratulations to Nashville Public Library for earning the prestigious 2017 Library of the Year Award. I especially want to recognize the Library’s leaders, employees, and volunteers for their work to empower all people through learning.

“Nashville Public Library works with schools and families to help students become strong readers, thinkers, and problem solvers. They support adult learners as readers, job seekers and entrepreneurs, and as members of today’s digital universe.

“Of course, our library is so strong because of its patrons and supporters. They have a passionate group of advocates in the Friends of the Library. Meanwhile, many of the programs and services that make Nashville Public Library ‘best in class’ are funded through generous donations to the Nashville Public Library Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising private funds in the community to support and enhance Nashville Public Library.”