Board approves multiple contracts and grants to sustain youth programming, ESL and outreach

The Public Library Board approved several contract and grant actions on Sept. 16 to continue youth services, adult education and community programming across the system.

The board approved a contract amendment of $54,200 to continue mentorship programming inside the Metro Juvenile Justice Detention Center (program partner: Why We Can't Wait), an organization that previously ran the program as a Wallace Foundation pilot and will serve an average of about 40 detained young people per month. Library staff described the partner’s case‑management approach that follows participants after release and connects them to school and employment resources. The motion passed by voice vote.

The board approved a $174,796 contract with Black Lemonade to serve approximately 90 after‑school students and 60 summer program students; the after‑school program will run in four schools (Antioch Middle, Margaret Allen McKissick, and 2 Rivers) and the summer site will move from a church location to Tennessee State University (TSU) campus for safety. Motion by Katie, second by Charis; voice vote approved.

The board also approved two grant agreements supported by a Carnegie Corporation award to launch leveled ESL classes at select branches. Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE) will receive $240,000 to hold classes at Donaldson, Madison, Edmonson Pike, Thompson Lane and Hermitage; Branch of Nashville will receive $120,000 for classes at Southeast. Both contracts passed after separate motions and voice votes.

Two contracts with OASIS (the organization that operates youth engagement and college‑access programs) were approved: a $30,000 Mayor’s Youth Council grant and a $250,000 College Connection contract to train seniors for college entry. Both actions are funded from Metro/NASAA budget lines included in the library’s packet; both passed by voice vote.

The board approved a routine personnel compensation action to grant Library Director Terry the same 2% open‑range increase awarded to other open‑range staff this year. The motion passed by voice vote.

The board approved the meeting minutes from the prior month; the motion passed unanimously.

Motions were generally carried by voice vote; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript. Board members asked clarifying questions about partner locations, program scale, and prior relationships; staff said adult literacy teams have previously worked with some of the named partners even when a contract with the library had not been in place.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of previous meeting minutes — passed unanimously. - Contract amendment, Why We Can't Wait — $54,200 to provide mentorship programming at Metro Juvenile Justice Detention Center — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Contract, Black Lemonade — $174,796 to provide after‑school and summer programming in multiple schools/locations — outcome: approved (motion by Katie; second by Charis; voice vote). - Grant contract, Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE) — $240,000 to provide leveled ESL classes at multiple branches — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Grant contract, Branch of Nashville — $120,000 to provide leveled ESL classes at Southeast branch — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Contract, OASIS — Mayor’s Youth Council grant — $30,000 — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Contract, OASIS — College Connection program — $250,000 — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Personnel action — 2% open‑range pay increase for Library Director Terry — outcome: approved (voice vote).

Staff said follow‑up reports will be provided on program implementation and outcomes.