Introducing Next Chapter Corner, a quarterly update on Next Chapter Society. In this first edition, you’ll hear from Becca Zeglovitch, council chair, on the value of connection and membership. Becca reflects on her own experience being part of this group of emerging leaders and what they are collectively able to achieve to better our community, while having fun along the way.
How a T-Shirt Becomes a Tomato
Hi folks, my name is Becca Zeglovitch, and I am thrilled to be this year’s Chair of Next Chapter Society! I first joined NCS in July of 2023 because I was looking for a way to get more involved in the community and meet some new people. My mom was a librarian for her entire career, and because of her I’ve always had a special place in my heart for libraries, so Next Chapter felt like a no-brainer. In my two years on council, I’ve met some great people, volunteered at fabulous events, and seen how much a group of passionate young professionals can raise to support the library when we put our minds to it.
If you’ve seen us around town, you probably know that one of our big campaigns each year is our t-shirt sale. This year, we’re really excited to be partnering with local artist Andrew Cook for the second year in a row, as well as local printer Friendly Arctic for the fourth year in a row! Something I love about being part of Next Chapter is seeing our partnerships with small local businesses and creators grow year after year.
As I’ve been thinking about how to spread the word about our campaign this year, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to what this t-shirt really means. When supporters buy this shirt (or tote bag, or art print!) and then wear it around town, they’re signaling to others that they love their local library and everything it stands for. They’re creating the possibility for connection and community. When the Foundation receives orders through this campaign, that money supports all sorts of programs and resources at the library. It becomes a tour of the Votes for Women room at the main library, a technology class for seniors, a photo printed by a teen at Studio NPL, a puppet in the Wishing Chair Puppet Truck, and so much more. It even becomes a packet of seeds ready to be checked out and planted through the Seed Exchange, growing flowers and produce (like tomatoes!) across our beloved city. So, when that shirt preorder link goes live this year (mark your calendars for September 26!), I encourage you to not only think about how cute you’ll look in our great design, but also to remember that adventure truly does start at the library!
Next Chapter Society not only puts on their monthly book club and fundraising events like their yearly t-shirt campaign, but a membership is a direct donation to the Nashville Public Library Foundation to fund, advocate, and amplify Nashville Public Library to power literacy, life skills, and connection for all.
