[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6228288,"mediaKeyId","3476295-dba76f12cb96b475b47f18a64e2e8ea8","parentId",3476295,"title","Library requests $95,000 lease for NECAAT/Kneecat studio as permanent site renovation continues","audioSeconds",145,"startMs",794000,"endMs",939000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3476295-dba76f12cb96b475b47f18a64e2e8ea8&start=794&end=939","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3476295-dba76f12cb96b475b47f18a64e2e8ea8/thumbnail_794000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6228288/Tennessee/Library-requests-95000-lease-for-NECAATKneecat-studio-as-permanent-site-renovation-continues","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228288-7dfdb3196ad911b0cb65e1aef3764568/orig.mp4?Expires=1777076993&Signature=BK7k~B3N6Esj2-Ic-1~~kjyUOZ8bG-4hyAmCxP5Kb7NhPNv8mex6WcMt89nILPtX4gmjb2AQc8T4pBzyZwTZlNKOgwuRDEnfqV91Kg3nR0xKUcy79m7qZeCpJK2vk-TxiprXC-WY18lx7L7wZu3QfYOKRVX4qSYxcSV9w2kv2iVSkE6tePa17F-L19eZu85grfJ-w-yJ~gLNAjGwUPMKn91GgCnKU6emJK6ItZxcXliZoIaDrwn6ou5EmPebV7X2XpUIMavqSlcb2jNPQQoCC0awCgrr694ePohsRLVpnlrVnuswSrlV2d6S-uD4KhT8OrRboNobjHsxBI6MzQS1RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Nashville, TN","date","2025-05-23T23:58:17.903Z","article","Nashville Public Library requested $95,000 in FY26 to pay an annual lease for the Nashville Education Community and Arts TV Network studio (referred to as NECAAT or Kneecat) at the Nashville State community campus.

Luke said the library previously leased the studio and office space at Nashville State for a nominal fee of $1, but that lease expired and the library now needs $95,000 per year for the space while staff renovate the old Donaldson branch to be Kneecat's future home. \"The library is renovating the old Donaldson branch as a future permanent home for Kneecap, but this will take at least 18 months. Therefore, for FY '26, we are requesting $95,000,\" Luke said.

Library leaders said the Kneecat studio provides an accessible platform for local musicians and artists to produce and engineer shows in‑house and helps connect local creative economy participants to public media resources. Staff identified the $95,000 as a one‑year lease cost while the permanent renovation proceeds; no formal council action was recorded during the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05/21/25 Metro Council Operating Budget Hearings: Library","oneSentenceSummary","NPL asked the council for $95,000 in FY26 to cover a new annual lease for the NECAAT (Kneecat) studio space at Nashville State, while the library renovates the old Donaldson branch as a future permanent home.","taxTitle","Budget & Finance Meetings, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee","taxId",69310,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228293,"Bookmobile funding, Dollar General agreement and service scope draw questions from council",928,1764000,2692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3476295-dba76f12cb96b475b47f18a64e2e8ea8&start=1764&end=2692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3476295-dba76f12cb96b475b47f18a64e2e8ea8/thumbnail_1764000.jpg","/articles/6228293/Tennessee/Bookmobile-funding-Dollar-General-agreement-and-service-scope-draw-questions-from-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228293-63f9edd393d726fee1e8033a3cf0a503/orig.mp4?Expires=1777076993&Signature=CdJsLiz8XE5089sm0x1El15hjO5vH3kxGWbe~v1TP4CbJnX~TOZbH11iH2IGdFpMDCxrxgciypV6y5gos1gPWAnm4z9xe-9YS7vhc2bdMmy7wdzvlm8o6kcRLCMAHP2bjalwm4oj8Vl1zd6wuUMjgc1~JZhlxs6QlUnTgAnjaIPFSIwoaNuSOXNUr7l7~yEjgIHByCdDSIAri9-faX36k27c5S36cIXg7FjGIPPJKI8G0TwjwRaVKVg0v5c2~VXjtOj-AbNMmmEbP2JmeDIrg8YJseaATD~9nFDcKAOGH1TUK99cWzwoMTSWAmVr0J2j8QzShScHLroB1qH~S2rj5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members raised concerns about the bookmobile and Limitless Libraries funding, asking whether Dollar General‑supported services that initially targeted MNPS charter schools should remain limited to charter campuses.

Library leadership said the bookmobile began under an agreement tied to Dollar General funds and was initially focused on charter schools: \"So we promised Dollar General that we would use those funds to have a bookmobile to serve the MNPS charter schools,\" Luke said. Staff added that the bookmobile is already attending community events and that the library will evaluate services and participant numbers to determine whether the bookmobile can also add preschools, senior centers and other community stops.

Council member Cortez and others said they supported access for all students and questioned whether charter schools should be the primary recipients of that funded service. Library staff said the bookmobile positions (two staff paid roughly $190,000 in total earlier through Dollar General funds) are being requested to be moved to Metro payroll to sustain the service if Dollar General support ends.

Staff agreed to provide specific participation numbers upon request; the library said it would follow up with council members by email with usage statistics and further evaluation plans.","Council members asked whether the bookmobile funded with Dollar General support should continue prioritizing charter schools; library staff said the bookmobile began serving MNPS charter schools per an earlier agreement but will be evaluated to consider broader routes to preschools, senior centers and community events.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228297,"After‑school NAZA program seeks funding for summer slots focused on MDHA communities",943,751000,1694000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3476295-dba76f12cb96b475b47f18a64e2e8ea8&start=751&end=1694","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3476295-dba76f12cb96b475b47f18a64e2e8ea8/thumbnail_751000.jpg","/articles/6228297/Tennessee/Afterschool-NAZA-program-seeks-funding-for-summer-slots-focused-on-MDHA-communities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228297-db65f1a2efe79c57479e0b7e30a644de/orig.mp4?Expires=1777076993&Signature=Ie~rWQGh8dV0gj08iJpjCpaxiHvgfbtBh2cYGoVmN30g3RRM~8q1DE1Hu5Nof5Ux1NRXwUO6D2cKIu9Kqk6qmhe-pkDOzPNx1M05aqj7~CNY5yqBR8IpyprslvwPTpd8ZxHuBAKcj6TNmsa~S28~1u4K0ui0odtmmg8Vnvbt3zVl3RrRQVM65U-vZi0P1GG6GMii9NWd~qxXysa2~SZ3VAXpDJMNGh8TD68z9ImCP0ZjvwZoR-wanuJtChkpPJu8Xy8wZ515Ok9uWzrwHMZGZoGm66exeDh6k3ElNTyK46kw02w3qWtC9zGNVSwo3Q51ttufKt7PWg8qwmn2fHoaJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Anna Haratunyan, who oversees the Nashville Afterzone Alliance (NAZA), told the budget committee that NAZA needs additional funds to expand summer programming in Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) communities and to continue piloted partnerships in juvenile justice and alternative learning centers.

Luke said NPL is requesting $200,000 for NAZA in FY26. \"NAZA will fund a part time position to coordinate youth leadership activities,\" Luke said, and staff described three strategies that funding would support: a part‑time youth coordinator for youth leadership work, a year‑long leadership development pilot for students in nontraditional schools, and 100 additional summer camp slots targeted to public housing communities.

Council members pressed staff about a larger set of unmet costs. Library staff said $512,000 more would have covered 400 additional summer slots (a four‑week, five‑day program costing $1,280 per slot), but that only a portion of NAZA's request was funded; staff said they would cover a portion of the slots plus the coordinator but could not continue a grant‑funded juvenile detention pilot because participants are not all Davidson County residents.

Anna Haratunyan said pilot sites included MDHA resident services communities and alternative learning centers; staff said two alternative‑learning‑center programs in the current budget will continue. Council members identified NAZA as a priority and encouraged finding funding options to preserve the program where possible.","Nashville Afterzone Alliance, housed at NPL, asked the budget committee for $200,000 to sustain a part‑time coordinator, a leadership pilot and 100 additional summer program slots; a larger request to cover 400 additional slots was only partially funded and remains on the library's wish list.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228302,"Library and mayor seek $1 million for BeginBright early-literacy initiative as foundation raises $20 million",94,997000,1091000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3476295-dba76f12cb96b475b47f18a64e2e8ea8&start=997&end=1091","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3476295-dba76f12cb96b475b47f18a64e2e8ea8/thumbnail_997000.jpg","/articles/6228302/Tennessee/Library-and-mayor-seek-1-million-for-BeginBright-early-literacy-initiative-as-foundation-raises-20-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228302-242fecff37e5a8986f5b59a3da572a78/orig.mp4?Expires=1777076993&Signature=Lwd5S9N9mr5P6BRDQ1O-5YvmvkRjVV1A5Sexc3v8XqEokCbhwaReSHBl5zyC-BeEVWkXygd75qYzD5I~eoSR1YPoSh1LC115v44KHJvSyvsIoAHQa43qK73N6LBLFzmX4bsBZ5aPbie1fpbfD32fkHU4YzwXXutLBx1rp~abNDYfsmB6iJXQE7eLiOTobN1Y-LShdueXxtFIysbypteLcnnvqCF9veD-oiYtEZ5yA8dzU6HSb6ew5OF~WcXf-WcXEHCvLwaDiUsxScCbh27-XurJSxWKzrR912dY~qkwUjHAFA-qIjhQCwGDSg3xVGBGdeNjpAs~Nc5-RN~mbaie-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nashville Public Library Director Luke asked Metro Council to support a $1 million investment in BeginBright, an early‑literacy initiative created and run by NPL staff and funded primarily through the Nashville Public Library Foundation.

Luke said BeginBright aims to have every child ready to read by kindergarten, provide free on‑demand instruction for parents and preschool teachers, and fund long‑term research to evaluate the program. \"In his state of Metro address, Mayor O'Connell called for a $1,000,000 investment in BeginBright,\" Luke said, and the director noted the foundation has already raised $20,000,000 for the initiative.

Council members asked where a stated $1 million commitment would appear in the budget. Assistant Director Susan Dry said the mayor's proposed amount is expected to be recorded in a finance/administrative business unit rather than inside the library's direct budget lines. Council member Cortez asked whether the program could be phased across several years; Luke and staff said BeginBright could be started without the entire one‑time amount in the first year because of foundation support and planned multi‑year funding.

Luke and staff said the foundation funds support program development and implementation while Metro investment would help scale the initiative systemwide. No formal council action was taken at the hearing; the $1 million amount was described as Mayor O'Connell's proposed support and as a separate finance placement from the library's operating budget.","Nashville Public Library told council it seeks a $1 million investment for BeginBright in FY26; the BeginBright program is led by the library, funded primarily by the Nashville Public Library Foundation and recommended in the mayor's State of Metro address.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228306,"Nashville Public Library seeks staff, security and sustained collection funding in FY26 request",0,2248000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3476295-dba76f12cb96b475b47f18a64e2e8ea8&start=2248&end=2248","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3476295-dba76f12cb96b475b47f18a64e2e8ea8/thumbnail_2248000.jpg","/articles/6228306/Tennessee/Nashville-Public-Library-seeks-staff-security-and-sustained-collection-funding-in-FY26-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228306-b5e0c136b09f5bed708bcbaf8db64775/orig.mp4?Expires=1777076993&Signature=CAcijHVTuc30FAeOZ8bk-Bu4VboydGcttdE-LMOt3UQMHNyua-Pk5UGtXdYiOVH0Mc8WB-wAibFfs0Nay~37wPAjuJw8CAK-4yUmOWb9x2fGA3JeABSFEaOrANiLrcu1BrnwxhsbFuncrlXxUgBqorwcO73spo2rtAq4wFwmSuohH7qFJKsXWFd6u-cFu8Slhe5AwKU-dYtjo7MgW4ZQW4DFx63WJcGesdUwT~jS2K8ug5jQyRfMPf6crMKPmX-IF9xv8qh3eASRR4dM6VE6tPunNced7LSQQijrdqOKEBeC89mNo4HXcGuvV-67iSZvX6TF1AAdENzo5qFRMVBpzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nashville Public Library Director Luke told the Metro Council Budget Committee that NPL is requesting new staff, dedicated funding for branch security and full, recurring funding for the library collection as part of the FY26 budget request.

Luke said the library is projecting a record 7,000,000 checkouts in FY25, a 6% increase over FY24, and that digital circulation is up about 14% to more than 3,700,000 digital checkouts. \"NPL is set to reach a record 7,000,000 checkouts by the end of FY 25,\" Luke said, noting the cost pressures of expanding digital materials.

The request seeks 12 new staff positions phased over three years, beginning with seven positions in FY26 for smaller neighborhood branches including Edgehill, Hadley Park, Looby, North, Old Hickory, Pruitt and Watkins Park. \"These investments will bring staffing levels in line with those recommended by the Tennessee standards for public libraries,\" Luke said, adding that staffing shortages have affected basic operations at small branches.

On safety, Luke said NPL added contracted security at 10 branches and has been using departmental funds for those costs; FY24 security spending totaled $446,000. For FY26 the library is requesting $626,000 to cover expected contract cost increases and growing incident severity.

Luke also urged sustained funding for the collection, saying Metro invested $4,500,000 in the library collection this fiscal year but that it takes roughly $4,000,000 annually \"not to grow, but to just maintain that collection.\" She noted NPL spent about $2,000,000 on materials last year and that digital materials are substantially costlier than print.

Committee members pressed staff on other operational questions during the Q&A. Council member Toombs asked about $3.4 million in grant funds reflected in the budget-at-a-glance; Assistant Director Susan Dry said the library is \"anticipating most of those funds coming back.\" Council members also asked about building maintenance and older facilities; Susan Dry answered that the library is tracking facilities and addressing issues such as mold and air quality as they arise.

The presentation also noted a closure of the main downtown library from August through October for preventive HVAC maintenance and that closure materially lowered several service metrics this year, including programs and Wi-Fi sessions.

The library director closed by asking council to prioritize full, recurring funding for the collection and branch staffing to restore and expand services across Davidson County.","Nashville Public Library Director Luke told the Metro Council Budget Committee the library is asking for new branch staff, systemwide security funding and full annual collection funding as part of its FY26 request, citing rising circulation and continued pressure from facility closures and staffing shortages.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Library requests $95,000 lease for NECAAT/Kneecat studio as permanent site renovation continues

Bookmobile funding, Dollar General agreement and service scope draw questions from council

After‑school NAZA program seeks funding for summer slots focused on MDHA communities

Library and mayor seek $1 million for BeginBright early-literacy initiative as foundation raises $20 million

Nashville Public Library seeks staff, security and sustained collection funding in FY26 request