New Donelson library capitalizes on trends, with grandiose sculpture, 3D printers, art lending and more

Hundreds braved the heat Monday morning to celebrate Nashville Public Library’s latest addition: the new Donelson branch, which feature services that have become central to how Nashville thinks of its libraries.

State and local leaders joined enthusiastic library-goers — of all ages — as the two-story, 24,000-square-foot facility opened its doors for the first time.

“Today represents the future of Donelson,” the area’s Councilmember, Jeff Gregg, said ahead of the ribbon cutting. “I envision riders from the Music City Star walking over after work to check out a book, or patrons from the farmer’s market strolling over to see the art installations.”

Cynthia Abrams WPLN News

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell cut the ribbon, allowing for hundreds of visitors to enter the new building.

After the previous location — a building constructed in 1966 — was deemed too small to accommodate the growing neighborhood, the library began construction at a new site just down the street. Designed by Hastings Architecture, the mid-century-style building features rooftop solar panels and is LEED-gold certified.

At close to three times the size of the previous branch, the new location has been able to broaden its offerings. This includes:

• a vehicle registration renewal kiosk
• electric car charging
• artwork by local artists, available to checkout through the Metro Arts Lending Library collection
• a mobile kitchen on wheels for cooking classes
• multilingual signage, which is available in English, Spanish and Arabic, as well as additional Spanish language materials
• six study spaces
• three dedicated program spaces, which includes a “Studio NPL” maker space — a technology environment for teens that features 3D printers, camera and audio equipment, vinyl cutters and sewing stations

The opening also involved the unveiling of new public art sculptures. Inside the library hangs a massive, aluminum-gilded suspended sculpture from local artist Amber Lelli. Outside the library, a series of marble sculptures from the artist team “Wowhaus” are scattered across the lawn.

Cynthia Abrams WPLN News

“Celestial Falls,” a suspended sculpture by local artist Amber Lelli, hangs behind the children’s area in the new Donelson Library branch.

Daryn Jackson, the communications manager for Metro Arts, said that the lending library and sculptures are a way for the library to both support local artists and share it with the public.

“Art should be accessible to anyone and everyone,” Jackson said. “We’re trying to give all of Nashville an opportunity to encounter art in the places where they live.”