The Vision

 

In the 1990's, it wasn't hard to see that downtown Nashville needed some sprucing up. When night fell, the streets were deserted except for the homeless and those in search of some trouble. Families needed a good reason to venture downtown. Mayor Phil Bredesen shared his vision of adding an important piece of "civic furniture" to draw folks back to town - a new library. But there already was a library. However, it was not able to serve the citizens well; it just did not have enough room for books and media, parking, computers or people.

 

           Ben West Library                 Main Library

 

                 71,710 square feet                            300,000 square feet

                 40 parking spaces                            200 parking spaces

                 250,000 volume space                    1,000,000 volume capacity

                 175 seats for readers                        1,200 seats for readers

                 46 public computers                       148 public computers

                 110 program seats                            700 program seats

 

The Vision Comes into Focus

 

In 1995, Nashville launched a search for a new Library Director. When Donna (Mancini) Nicely came to town from DeKalb County, GA, at the insistence of Margaret Ann Robinson (a long-time library champion and board member), she found folks eager to create something special. Not only was the building going to be a grand expression of how important a library was to the city, but the programming at the library and throughout the system was going to be exceptional too. Mayor Bredesen's vision began to come into focus.

 

Donna Nicely on forming the public-private partnership

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early on, a consultant recommended that a Nashville Public Library Foundation be formed to support the efforts of the Library. Keith Simmons, who had just become the Managing Partner of Bass, Berry and Sims law firm, met Donna Nicely and reports that "It was like we were working off the same brain" when they were talking about the library. They were on the same page. Donna and Margaret Ann Robinson asked Keith to help form a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which he facilitated. They quickly returned and asked him to head up the newly formed Nashville Public Library Foundation. Again, he said "Yes!"

 

Keith Simmons on vision for the Main Library & Nashville

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Partnership that Worked

 

The public-private partnership worked well to build the case for the new Main Library. The collective efforts resulted in the Metro Council vote to fund the visionary project, with the Foundation assisting in funding elements of the project that otherwise would not have been possible - the ceiling of the Grand Reading Room...the outdoor garden courtyard... to say nothing of the many outstanding programs which have made the Nashville Public Library system an outstanding and vital part of the community.

 

Roundtable Discussion of the Vision and Creation

 

On May 12, 2014, Margaret Ann Robinson, Keith Simmons and Donna Nicely came together with moderator Kathleen Fuchs to engage in a roundtable discussion of the vision and creation of the Main Library as well as the Nashville Public Library Foundation. This 45 minute video illuminates how strategic partnerships were created, who was involved and how important each entity was in the development of the outstanding Main Library and all its programs. To watch it, click here.