Citizens of Nashville, Tennessee homes are well-endowed with an exquisite storehouse of knowledge and art at the new Nashville Public Library and all of its branches.  New residents to Nashville TN real estate marvel at the new Nashville Public Library—a magnificent 300,000 square-foot building with Ionic columns and bronze doors.  From the Grand Reading Room and extensive displays inside to the diverse array of materials available to check out, this Library is quite an experience for visitors as well as residents of real estate in Nashville.

Ask about homes in Nashville neighborhoods near the Library in The Gulch, Eastwood Neighbors, Hillsboro Village, Sylvan Park and more.  With very little investment, the Library will start the family with good habits of curiosity about the cultures of the world and reading to learn.

Library offerings only get better year after year—same as the history of libraries in Nashville.  In the late 1800s, the city appropriated $2,500 to build the Howard Library.  For a couple of years, patrons paid for a $2 library card.  Then Andrew Carnegie donated $100,000 for the newer and larger Carnegie Library of Nashville followed by $50,000 for the North and South branch libraries.  By 1950, more branches and bookmobile services were available.  In 1966 the Ben West Library became the main library, followed by several new branches as the city population blossomed.  Today, the city is still growing and the library is still sprouting new branches. 

Architect Robert A. M. Stern is responsible for the overall design of the 2001 Public Library.  In addition the Library allocated $600,000 of its construction budget to public art and selected national and local artists to create six integrated artworks, five posters, and photographic displays.

Its modern classical design features foliated scroll decorative panels by Kent Bloomer beneath the windows on the Church Street façade.  Some of Bloomer’s ornamental metalwork is also featured at the Chicago Public Library.  Outside stands La Storia della Terra, which means The Story of the Earth, is a 20-foot tower of marble, granite, and quartz by the Kubach-Wilmsen Team from Mainz, Germany.  The town is comprised of 26 books representing the letters of our alphabet.  And the bronze doors on the front of the building were created by Alan LeQuire, a local artist who pounded depictions of native plants and animals along with scenes of people reading that can be seen only when the library is open.

Inside, several notable exhibits cannot be missed.  Look for The Prince in the Children’s Department, Children’s Chairs for the Seasons, history presented with maps and aerial views, and more important history on a ceiling mural.  A series of 80 hammered-copper frieze panels by art professor Greg Ridley is integrated within the tops of the bookshelves, forming a linear story of the city’s history from pre-settlement to present day.

The extraordinary details begin with the building.  They continue on through the immense collection of publications, books, film, art, and multimedia that can belong to residents for a week or three.  No need to travel when the world comes right to your neighborhood.

For information on real estate in this area, contact The Condurelis Group at (615) 376-5123. 

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