Nashville Public Library

What a beautiful, expansive space! I love walking through the intricate, carved metal doors etched with fish and other natural elements into a marble floored hall of learning. Not only does this library hold several collections (standard fiction, non-​fiction, as well as child and teen), but it offers extensive tech capabilities to anyone in the community. The third floor always looks bustling, with people moving from the TV area to the several rows of computers. The third floor also hosts the Studio at NPL for teen students. The space is absolutely amazing, with Makerbot 3D-​printers, music recording studios, intstruments, tech bytes, and artist mentors always on call. Further, the library always hosts amazing guest speakers, from authors to activists. The library is such a staple in the city of Nashville. The only drawback? Parking allotted right behind the building costs money after 1.5 hours, even with the complimentary stamp you get at the front desk.

A hidden gem. This place is absolutely stunning! I was not expecting that when I first visited. It’s also HUGE. I was able to find Vietnamese lessons on cassette and they have Rosetta Stone for some of the more popular languages. Books, old records… I don’t even know. This place is endless. They have a theater where I once saw a documentary screening with a discussion afterwards. I believe they do story-​time and puppet shows for the kiddos. They have a lot of unique events here, too, like lectures and concerts. A great bit of culture in the midst of downtown.
Their garage is a local favorite because they validate parking and it’s very affordable (like $ 2 affordable.) There are a lot of great public libraries in Nashville and the city has a very useful system where you can reserve a book online to pick up at your local branch. Still, make the journey downtown at least once to visit the main library on Church St. You’ll love it!

So, I’ve been here about 4 times now, and my experience has been okay, but today I just couldn’t bite my tongue. I came here to study for a big test that I have tomorrow, and it is impossible to concentrate! The librarians chitchat with each other in their regular talking voices NON STOP. Then there was this man sharpening a whole bunch of pencils in an electric sharpener. I eventually just grabbed my stuff and left. Last week I was sitting using a computer (which you can only use for 20 minute intervals– or 30 minutes on the 3^rd floor) and these grown men started arguing and cussing at each other and I seriously thought a fight was going to break out, and no one was trying to stop it! The staff in the front is also pretty rude. The first time I came here, I asked where about the additional computers were (with the extended time use), and he made me feel as if I was interrupting him from doing something. He seemed to be very annoyed with me. The library is on the 4^th floor, but once you get to the 4^th floor, you can apparently use their elevator to go up, and the buttons refer the 4^th floor, as the 1^st floor (confused yet?), so when he told me it was on the 3^rd floor, I told him I already went down there, and I was back in the parking garage. Then he irritatingly sighed, as if I should know, that the 3^rd floor is upstairs. Goodness. My bad.

Beautiful library, excellent lecture hall, nice staff. I’ve stopped in a few different times over the years during the Southern Festival of Books and have always been impressed. The book sales during the Festival are great and worth the drop-​in alone.
I was also pleasantly surprised during my last visit to find that I could easily walk up the counter and get a free guest pass to use the computer (as an out-​of-​state visitor) with no trouble at all – the passes were already printed and no ID nor information was required. A great service! Nashville residents are very lucky.

The trash that hangs out on the 3^rd floor makes it unbearable to sit and concentrate on a magazine that I wanted to read. Other than that, it is a beautifully maintained library.

Nice library with free wifi. Quiet and was able to have some peace and privacy. Good stop if you have an laptop or tablet

This library is more than just books, so if you find yourself in Nashville spare a few minutes and visit the library.
The outside architecture is impressive, and the inside is no less so. Besides walking through the book stacks and perusing their great collection of books, you can admire the murals present in the hallways on all three floors and while you’re at it learn a bit about the history of the city. If you’re visiting in a kinder season, you should also check out the courtyard.

Going to see a library doesn’t seem like a touristy thing to do but it is absolutely stunning when you walk through the doors. I have to admit the homeless shelter across the street does lead to some homeless people hanging around outside the front doors but they are harmless.
This library is gorgeous– it makes you want to stop what you are doing and sit down and read a book, any book. There are marble floors and stairs, natural sunlight and even a courtyard inside. If it wasn’t for us staying in the Renaissance hotel I wouldn’t have noticed the courtyard in the middle. The grand reading room looks like something out of a law school– attention to detail even in copper relief panels above book stacks and a painted ceiling. Looking outside beyond the grand reading room you can view the capital! Oh and the children’s area is so darn cute too!
Even if you just have a few minutes I recommend walking around just to see how lovely this public library is.

Gorgeous public library. My husband spent a lot of time with our little one there while I was in conference sessions. Great selection of children’s books and activities. Love the patio with water fountain just off the children’s section.

A beautiful spot for lunch. Nice and shady, plus entertainment.
I often walk by the library on my way from the office to pick up lunch. This day I noticed a sign advertising a concert in the courtyard. It was amazing! A very good bluegrass group was playing (one of the members was a member of The Dillards, who some may remember as the Darlings on The Andy Griffith Show). I will definitely be spending my lunch hour here every Tuesday/

They say a city with a great library is a great city. This most certainly applies to Nashville. I rarely get to visit the main branch downtown, but when I do I am always amazed. The library just makes sense, and people always seem in awe of everything our library system offers. What makes downtown so great for me is the awesome children’s section complete with friendly librarians, programs, and shows. Today there was something called «String City». While I didn’t get to see the show I heard several people raving about how great it was. Things like that, or a magic show, puppet show, or the weekly story times makes this a one stop place with kiddos.
Their courtyard concert series is fantastic and sometimes features names you’ve at least heard in passing. The second floor gallery has awesome exhibits, mostly about Nashville. There are tons of computers and self check outs available throughout the library, even adorable toddler computers. The library boasts a pretty hefty catalog of music and movies too. There’s even a teen center that has games and snacks.
Oh I can’t forget the great café Provence on the first floor. This library had it all, in lying validated parking for an hour.

LOVE IT! Absolutely beautiful, and cool features including a great kids room, young adult room, traveling exhibit complete with videos, courtyard, and a study area.
I’ve brought visitors here to spend a few hours.

Amazing– I visited the Nashville Library as a tourist, kind of like a museum, but I could totally see myself visiting as a regular library. I went on the website and downloaded the self tour guide, but you really don’t need it unless you want some of the historical background information. And it’s free! Very close to all the downtown hotels and touristy spots.
There’s lots of art and photo exhibits, from the Nashville photo history on the 2^nd floor to the civil rights room at one end of the 2^nd floor. There’s also some photo while I was visiting where modern photos of Nashville were superimposed with ones from the civil rights movement… Very cool to see the juxtaposition. I also loved the 3^rd floor grand hall reading room, with its massive and decorated ceilings, copper wall plates depicting history of Nashville, and giant windows. The outdoor courtyard in the center of the library with fountain and bronze statues, next to the children’s area is a perfect place to read and hang out.

I am so impressed with the Davidson County library system and especially this particular location. I don’t think I’ve ever searched for a book and not found it somewhere where they couldn’t send it to a library closer to my home. This particular location is amazing and huge! 3 stories high with it’s own parking garage that’s free for the first 1.5 hours. There’s also a nice courtyard in the middle that I can’t wait to use on the next warm day (as I’m writing this it’s 10 degrees outside)! I end up finding something new every time I come here. There’s a café on the lower level, a civil rights display and a theatre in the kid’s area. We’ve also started taking advantage of Third Thursday homeschool days. Staff is always extremely polite and helpful and trust me, I’ve had to ask for help on several occasions because of the size of this place. If you’re a book nerd like me, this place is heaven.

Not only is this one of my favorite buildings in Nashville, I really just love libraries too (even if they are out of fashion). I almost became a library tech, seriously! I like that you can sign up for a library card online, then walk in with an ID and some kind of document for proof of address and walk out with a library card and your first book! It’s too easy. Also you can park in the lot and get your ticket validated for 1.5 hours worth of free parking. There are dvds, magazines, and free downloads to be had, they have programs and activities daily which makes this resource invaluable. All of this is housed in a gorgeous setting, lucky Nashville!

If you’re looking for a weekend spot to park, close to Broadway and the Honky Tonk bars, parking is just $ 5 for the whole night at the Library. Therefore, Yay! I’m a fan.

I remember when Church Street Centre was at this location. I recently visited for the first time; it is a magnificent building!

Cheapest parking downtown, maximum $ 8.00 a day, free for first 90 mins for library patrons with parking card validated in Library. Provence café is attached so you can take a break and wander through. A beautiful building with great staff and multiple floors of books, dvd’s cd’s and computers to use. An outdoor garden and sitting area for summer, splendid restrooms and free movies… really no need to ever go home. Since I go here a number of times a week, seems mad I am not the Duchess (but I will be soon)
An absolute Gem in Nashville. 25 items allowed out at a time.

Totally love my Nashville public Library. Everything great everyone said is true. Its an awesome necessity in Nashville and every great city to have such a wonderful library.

The library is gorgeous!!! Seriously, this is the prettiest library I have ever seen. The staff are helpful and there is a lot to look at.
My only issue is that its closed on Mondays which sucks! and that even though they have a ton of computers, they are usually all booked up by homeless people.