Metro Arts’ Public Art Committee approved a memorandum of understanding with the Nashville Public Library on July 17 to govern the Art Lending Library program and to incorporate five additional library branches into the program. The committee voted to approve the MOU by voice vote during the meeting; the motion passed.

The MOU outlines Metro Arts’ responsibilities to purchase artwork, provide framing and installation, and to repair or pick up works that require maintenance. Anne Leslie, Metro Arts staff, told the committee the library will administer daily circulation, require condition reports on returns and manage holds and checkouts. “The branches fill out a conditions report when artworks come back in and assess the damage,” Leslie said.

The program, started during the COVID-19 pandemic, now circulates works by local artists and allows anyone with a library card to check out an artwork for three months with one renewal if no hold exists. Leslie said framing is handled by Metro Arts’ vendor to ensure consistency and museum-quality glazing, and staff require artworks be eligible via a local-artist requirement.

Committee members asked whether Metro Arts retains ownership of purchased works; Leslie confirmed the city owns the artworks. A committee member asked whether patrons can buy borrowed works; Leslie said promotional materials make clear the artworks are city-owned and not for sale, and staff direct interested patrons to the artist’s website for purchases of other works.

After discussion the committee chair called for the motion to approve the Art Lending Library memorandum of understanding with Nashville Public Library. Anne Leslie moved to approve; a committee member seconded the motion. The chair asked for a voice vote: “All in favor? Aye.” The motion passed.

The MOU may be updated in the future as the program expands or staff identify process improvements; Leslie said staff will continue to refine procedures based on operational experience.