For more than a century, Nashville Public Library has been at the heart of our city, opening doors to inspire reading, advance learning, and connect our community. Two of NPL’s oldest branches, the North Branch and East Branch, were built with support from Andrew Carnegie, who funded 1,681 free public libraries across the United States. He believed libraries should be places where anyone can walk in, learn, and build a better future. That vision continues to guide the Nashville Public Library Foundation as we support the Library’s work.
Carnegie’s legacy lives on in Nashville through these two historic branch buildings that continue to serve their communities. The North Branch Library, built in 1915, is the oldest existing library building in our system. Its classic architecture and interior spaces have been carefully preserved, allowing patrons to experience a piece of Nashville’s history while accessing modern services. The East Branch Library, completed in 1919, has been restored to honor its original design while meeting current community needs. Its original tables are still in use.
This year, both the North and East Branch Libraries were recognized as part of a national initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Carnegie Corporation of New York awarded a $10,000 gift to each eligible Carnegie library across the country, including NPL’s North and East branches. Nashville Public Library Foundation was proud to accept these grants on behalf of the Library.
These funds will advance NPL’s mission and support the communities surrounding these historic buildings. More than 140 years after Carnegie’s first investments, his belief in the power of libraries to strengthen democracy and uplift neighborhoods continues to make an impact in Nashville.
By securing private support to strengthen our library system, Nashville Public Library Foundation continues the public-private partnership that has supported this beloved Nashville institution from the very beginning.