Nashville Public Library board cites historic $2 million boost for collections, approves foundation grants and vehicle donations

The Nashville Public Library board on Tuesday heard a director's report that the system will receive an additional $2 million for collections this fiscal year and approved a slate of foundation-funded grants and two donated vehicles for library services.

Terry, leading the director's report, told the board the extra appropriation is “historic.” She said the allocation brings the library's collections funding this year to $5.8 million, compared with a 10-year average of about $2.8 million, and asked staff to prioritize replenishing the print collection given rising ebook costs. "This is historic. Our total for this year for collections is $5.8 million," Terry said.

Board members approved a set of foundation grants that will be forwarded to Metro Council for final action. Items approved included program-enhancement and in-kind grants, a Studio MPL outreach coordinator position, multiple education and literacy positions (11 positions across programs including bookmobile staffing), and support for Wishing Chair Productions puppetry positions. Each item was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript records unanimous approval but does not provide individual vote tallies.

The board also formally accepted a bookmobile that had previously entered Metro's fleet and approved acceptance of a new puppet truck (identified in materials as PT3). Staff said the bookmobile cost about $384,000 and the puppet truck was in the range of the low tens of thousands (transcript references a figure around $74,000 and described the puppet truck as a smaller box-truck-style vehicle). Susan, presenting the grants and donations, said the items will be filed for Metro Council consideration in July and that library staff will be available to answer council questions.

Terry highlighted several other allocations included in the recent 4% funding package: roughly $237,000 for Green Hills renovation furniture, fixtures and equipment; $449,000 for systemwide maintenance; and $100,000 to acquire time-clock software intended to preserve staff scheduling and prevent onerous shift patterns.

Board members asked clarifying questions about why the foundation-funded grants route through Metro Council; staff said Metro's grants division tracks such awards as distinct cost centers to ensure funds are spent as intended. Several board members praised reopening events and the work of staff and volunteers in shepherding grant and consent materials.

What happens next: The foundation grants and donation acceptances will be transmitted to Metro Council for formal filing and approval. The board approved the motions by voice vote; the meeting transcript indicates unanimous consent but individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the board meeting transcript.