Listen: Voices from Nashville's Main Library reopening

Cynthia AbramsWPLN News

After nine months of closure, Nashville's Main Library reopened Monday, March 30.

After nine months of closure, Nashville’s Main Library reopened Monday.

The downtown library closed in June after a fire erupted in the adjoining parking garage. NPL had initially targeted an opening date one month later, but the closure was soon prolonged after improvements to the building’s fire safety systems were identified during cleanup.

Roughly 90% of the library suffered soot and smoke damage, and nearly all materials were restored through light cleaning. The auditorium and conference center faced the brunt of the impact, and will remain closed for longer-term restoration.

The garage, which is operated by the Nashville Downtown Partnership, will also remain closed. Instead, library patrons can park for 90 minutes at the McKendree Parking Center on 6th Avenue for a discounted rate of $4. However, if patrons overstay their 90 minutes, they will be charged the standard garage rate for the full duration of the parking.

NPL Director Terri Luke said the library is working with Nashville Yards on 9th Avenue to reach a similar parking agreement.

Still, on reopening day, many patrons expressed their excitement.

Counting the days

“I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting for months,” said Forrest Cooper who works nearby at Asurion. “I’m just glad it’s open again. I’ve really missed it. I mean, last June was a long time ago without any information for the general public, you know?”

“It’s been 293 days — we were counting,” said Ruben Simpliciano who often brings his 5-year-old daughter, Lillian. “We’d come here multiple times a week. It was a great after-school activity and we missed it so much.”

‘Do it all’

“It’s just very convenient to come downtown,” said Marilyn Barnard, who rode by bus to the Main library to use the computer to apply for work. “Then you do your shopping downtown, sightseeing downtown, eat downtown — you just do it all from this location.”

“[It provides] a sense of ease. I can read a book, put my mind on other stuff than what else is going on,” said Chris Mofio, who is unhoused. He appreciates the library as a safe place to spend the day.

Browsers’ mentality

“I’ve been waiting for this day for some time,” said Russell Moore, who works nearby at the state comptroller’s office. “I would come, you know, probably every two or three days, sometimes just to browse through the stacks. You may come up on something that you didn’t even know you were looking for.”

“It’s been 10 months waiting to get in here,” said Jim Hoobler, a member of the Metro Historical Commission who is working on a historic walking tour.”I was just hoping it [the library] would open before I did the tour so I could have more insight into some of the history.”