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Library director reports $2 million boost for collections, launches systemwide survey and AI task force
Summary
The Nashville Public Library's director reported a historic increase in collection funding—an added $2 million through Metro's 4% allocations (bringing the year's total to $5.8 million)—and outlined plans for a September customer-experience survey, consultant-run focus groups and the formation of an internal AI task force.
Terry, speaking in the director's report, told the Nashville Public Library Board that Metro Council's 4% allocation includes a new $2 million for library collections. "This third one, the library will be receiving an additional $2 million for our collections," Terry said, adding that the system's total collections funding for the year is $5.8 million compared with a 10-year average of $2.8 million.
Terry said the library intends to use the funds to shore up print holdings that have deteriorated amid rising e-book circulation and to prioritize investments where circulation and local needs indicate greatest need. She asked staff (Annie and Noel) to review the print collection and recommend allocations.
On research and customer feedback, Terry said the library will run a customer-experience survey in September, built in Qualtrics with six language options and supplemented by consultant-led focus groups to ensure adequate representation and analysis. "Minimally we need to get 800" survey responses for Nashville's population mix, she said, noting the consulting firm had achieved larger sample sizes in other systems.
On technology and operations, staff described an AI task force that has surveyed staff uses and is developing library-specific policy and training; the task force will propose parameters before broader rollout and future presentations to the board.
Terry also summarized additional 4% allocations: $237,000 for Green Hills renovation furniture/fixtures/equipment, $449,000 for system-wide maintenance, and $100,000 for time-clock software to preserve existing scheduling practices.
Board members asked clarifying questions about survey validity, focus-group capacity, the scope of the state equal-access grant (discussed elsewhere in the meeting) and next steps for deploying the funds. Terry said staff will hold a virtual staff session on the budget and that the survey and consultant work will produce dashboards enabling branch-level drilldowns.
Next steps: Staff will return with recommendations for print-collection allocations, provide dashboards and report on consultant focus-group plans and AI-policy development.
