Nashville Public Library’s downtown branch to temporarily close

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — If you want to check out a book from the Nashville Public Library’s downtown location, you’ll need to find another branch — at least for the next few months.

The downtown branch is expected to officially close until late October for maintenance.

“Closure crews will be improving the system that heats and cools the building with significant upgrades throughout the facility,” Mayor Freddie O’Connell said in a Friday press conference. “I want to encourage people to use this closure as an opportunity to explore the 20 other great library locations around the city.”

What about the programs offered at the downtown location? City officials said that they would be spread out. That could be as far north as Goodlettsville and as far south as the Antioch branch, according to Nashville Public Library director Terri Luke.

In addition to programming, the library offers study and meeting rooms, free printing and other helpful resources. News 2 caught up with a few Nashvillians who said that the temporary closure will have an impact. Jill Carpenter, who works downtown, told News 2 that she would need to find alternatives.

“I actually go in this library on a regular basis,” Carpenter said. “I work near here, so I go in, check out books, get a copy of the Nashville Scene. I actually park in this garage as well.”

Resident Mickey Erwin did not know about the temporary closure until he spoke to News 2.

“I wish it wouldn’t [close]. I want it to stay open,” Erwin said. “I’m in there every day. I’m in there all the time studying.”

City leaders said that Metro’s Office of Homeless Services will work with partners to provide services like bus passes to other library branches.

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