Adults

Nashville Fire Dept Fire Log from Medic 5

During the Main Library's closure, I'm delving into the Fire Dept. Collection, which includes fascinating fire log books. As I sift through these records, I'm uncovering that they reveal much more than just fire runs and hall operations—they are a treasure trove of important Nashville history. 

On July 8, Goodlettsville Branch Library celebrated 13 years at their current location. See how the branch has adapted over the years to meet the needs of their community.

summer reading-adult

Nashville Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge (SRC) isn't just for kids. Learn how SRC can help promote better reading habits, lifelong literacy, and continuous cognitive development at any age. The Nashville Public Library offers an inclusive and engaging summer reading challenge designed for adults. With a rich history and clear goals, the program invites participants of all backgrounds to join.

Children reading books that partially obscure their faces.

Writing books for adults and writing books for children are two very different things.  Yet some writers for adults have also written for kids! Learn about picture book titles written by some of the titans of literature. 

 

 

Photo of Jack Harding with the Pacific Ocean in the background

The tale of the first flight around the globe is filled with engaging and often eye-opening anecdotes. While we've included some in the exhibit at Metro Archives (on display until the beginning of October), there are plenty more to explore! Read a selection of them here.

2024 Adult Education Spring Summit and Adult Educator of the Year

May 15, 2024 Marked the 8th Annual Adult Education Spring Summit! This is a free professional conference for adult education providers, administrators, and students at the Main Branch of Nashville Public Library. This event is able to be held each year through generous donations from the Nashville Public Library Foundation and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, wherein the Adult Educator of the Year for Davidson County is recognized and offered a minigrant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. 

Cathy Strahan — Traveling Children's Librarian at NPL — shares her hopes for what the new position can bring to Nashville communities.
 

librarian avatar

As a child, I categorized people by genres, eras, or media to remember them better. It helped me define how I felt about them and their impact on me. Without this, I would unfortunately forget them as soon as they were out of sight, and that still holds true today!

Photo of the historic flight crew after they returned home

Didn't attend Metro Archives opening program for their current aviation exhibit? No worries, check out the recording of the program here! The exhibit is "Nashville's Magellan of the Air: 100th Anniversary of the First Flight to Circumnavigate the World". It runs through October 7th, 2024. 

Cover of picture book "The Ferris Wheel." Image has large goldfish floating in foreground above a ferris wheel set off in a rectangular stone arch. There are queues of people flanking each side of stone arch framing the ferris wheel. On the left hand side, there is boy with his mother. He is wearing a yellow raincoat. On the right hand side a girl is accompanied by her father. She wears red, and he carries a blue suitcase.

In the Turkish import The Ferris Wheel, the stories of a boy and a girl living in different parts of the world intertwine in an exceedingly moving and timely picture book. 

Adventures for the New Year, Adult Literacy Book Picks to Inspire Reading

Here are some of the Adult Literacy Staff's favorite picks from the Fresh Reads collection to inspire reading in the New Year. These titles seek to test the limits of our world and existence. Fresh Reads is a stigma-free book collection explicitly designed for adults learning to read. These are great resources for native English-speaking adults who are developing basic literacy and adults learning English as a second language. 


 

It's The Manager

Leadership starts from the top. It’s The Manager by Jim Clifton and Jim Harter, uncovers the steps needed for long-term organizational success.

Dr Bunch

Metro Archives' Fall Intern, Jamie Erwin, had the pleasure of processing a unique collection for her internship - the "Dr. Ray C. Bunch Collection". If we have any other doctors' collections in our repository, it wouldn't be as thorough and informative as this one. But I'll allow Jamie to tell you about Dr. Bunch and his family in her own words. 

homemade christmas tree angel

Today, we will discuss Marcia Fenn's upcoming Blessing Tree (November-December) and Black History Month Scavenger Hunt (February 2024).
Marcia Fenn has been a Library Associate at Nashville Public Library's Edmondson Pike Branch since 2021. Over the past three years, she has created and presented multiple popular programs at the Edmondson Pike branch, such as a yearly Breast Cancer Walk, Blessing Tree, and Black History Month Scavenger Hunt. She also runs weekly and monthly programs such as Get Your Walk On, Craft Saturday, The Players Club, and Reading in Color.

black yogi centering the self and sipping some tea

Experience the blissful union of mind, body, and soul with timeless yoga and meditation practices. Whether you're just dipping your toes or a seasoned pro, there's always room for growth and discovery. That's why we've handpicked a collection of books that will take you on a journey through these sacred arts and elevate your practice to new heights.

Top Ten of 2023

Hope you find some gems that you may not have seen on other end-of-year lists!

Image contains a Santa in a red suit, white beard, and cap waving

In the now 200 years since it was first published, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" has become a beloved staple of many a holiday celebration. You and your family can experience this classic poem in picture books, in oh so many ways! 

Book Cover of "Let's Play Gonggi." Image contains two children, a boy and a girl, playing with plastic game pieces; boy uses game pieces to simulate goggles.

Many of us adults now look back on our decidedly low-tech childhood pastimes with fondness. Tap into this nostalgia with  Let's Play Gonggi, a picture book from Korea! 

 

 

4 cookbooks

Check out these four recent cookbooks you may have missed!

Full moon in a cloudy night sky.

Ready for Halloween? Check out Paige's latest spooky read! Yes, we know that Halloween is two months away but who says we can't start celebrating now?

Tennessean clipping of St. Louis NARA fire

July 12th of this year marked the 50th anniversary of one of the most devastating events to occur in the archives' world - the fire that broke out at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. If you're not familiar with this event, check out this post that discusses what happened and how the records in Metro Archives help make up for the damaged records. 

montana story 2021 starring owen teague and haley lu richardson
Two estranged siblings return home to their family's ranch. They find their father in a coma, and the home they once knew and loved unfamiliar and empty. They are left with a past of hurt and bitterness that must be confronted against a contemporary Western American backdrop.

 

Beatrix Potter was not only a brilliant author/illustrator of Children's books, but also a conservationist, natural scientist, and a downright fascinating woman. On display at the Frist Art Museum in downtown Nashville until September 17th, "Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature" is an incredibly rich and engaging celebration of Potter's life and work. Both children and adults alike will enjoy this timeless collection, a beautifully curated and re-imagined collage of nature drawings, children's book illustrations, photography, and interactive activities!

Good things come in threes! Celebrate Pride by checking out these incredible queer trilogies. 

Win at Spades: Basic and Intermediate Techniques

Learning how to play Spades is easy. But being good at it is an entirely different thing. In Win at Spades, Basic and Intermediate Techniques, you will learn terminology, how to bid, defend, and, most importantly, how to win.

Sometimes your just want to read a snappy story that makes you learn. These are those stories.

white person in brown shirt, holding white sign with green chasing arrows image

Ok, "borrow" definitely isn't one of the 3 R's, but it should be an honorary member. And when you borrow from NPL instead of buy new, you're doing our Earth a huge favor. Plus, now there's so much more you can borrow from your library -- take a look!

We Own This City

We Own This City, written by former Baltimore Sun reporter Justin Fenton, (now an HBO limited series), is a true story covering the corruption inside the Baltimore Police Department. This book highlights the sad truth some police officers are willing to do to pad stats as well as their wallets. It also reveals the extreme measures some will go to prevent being charged with their crimes. 

Cover image of Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II. Contains a girl dressed in red coat and hat, carrying a small brown suitcase. She is holding the hand of an unseen adult. The girl is reflected in the water puddle on the cobblestone streets. There are also three war planes reflected in the puddle.

This year's Mildred L. Batchelder Award, given to an outstanding children's book translated into English, is the wonderful Italian middle grades memoir Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II. Sensitive and age appropriate, this standout book is an ideal shared read aloud for older children.

Have you ever wanted to read Dune but the sheer size of it makes you think otherwise? I was in that same boat and finally tackled the book. See how I, a librarian with a short attention span, made it through this Sci-Fi tome!

Don't waste your time on hearts this Valentine's Day. Steal something that matters - like art! (But, you know, don't.)

Books to Screen 2023

As always, there are a multitude of adaptations in the works this year!  Here are a few of the most anticipated.

We've done quite a few cooking programs at the Green Hills Teen Center. Learn about some of my favorite dishes we've created and have some recommendations for related cookbooks!

reissues covers

I love keeping up with new releases, but even more exciting is when a book crosses space and time to reach you at the perfect moment.  That, my friends, is the joy of reissues.

Sidney O'Berry Collection - State Capitol covered in snow in 1976

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, you might get your wish. In Nashville? Yes! How common is that? Not very, according to our weather reports and news clippings. But here are the highlights from the few times it has occurred. 

Have you ever been listening to a podcast only to find out there are no more episodes left? Have no fear, there might be a book for that new favorite podcast of yours.

I originally wrote this blog post for March, 2018, because for some unknown reason, genealogy research seems to pick up around the end of February through March. Well, the trend has occurred again during quarantine, and this time makes more sense - you're home and you figure, why not? For whatever reason, we welcome the frequency of usage of our genealogy records. Here's a list of our most helpful and commonly-used materials, and some other tips when doing family research, with a few new additions. UPDATED AGAIN IN 2022 WITH THE ADDITION OF ANCESTRY LIBRARY EDITION TO THE LIBRARY WEBSITE!

Book cover of When Dad Was Away by Liz Weir. Cover includes redheaded girl reading a book with a green cover against a yellow background.

December is a time of holiday celebrations for many families. For families with a parent currently incarcerated, however, the reality is very different. Picture books about incarceration can help children and parents talk about a complex topic that affects millions of children and families in the United States.

Scarritt-Bennett Center Collection - Celebration of Culture Festival

The semester is soon to wrap up, so Metro Archives is bringing you another cool blog post from our fall intern, Morgan Stence. Morgan processed the Scarritt Bennett Collection, primarily containing materials from the Celebration of Cultures Festival. Learn about it from her own words. 

501 Unarmed Self-Defense Skills

Self-defense is one of the most important skills I believe anyone should have. I like to say, “better to know but not need.” In 501 Unarmed Self-Defense Skills, Chris McNab gives you simple techniques you can use to ward off an attacker.

A person wearing black fingerless gloves holds a cardboard cutout in the shape of a house

November 12-20 is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Listen to a couple of Nashville StoryCorps interviews, from a formerly unhoused person and an activist for the poor and unhoused.

Book cover illustration which includes three Wampanoag figures and a fox

Many of us are gearing up to celebrate Thanksgiving at the end of the month. But how do teach what is actually a complicated story of conflict and colonization? Learn about books from our collection and online resources that can help us teach a more accurate history.

Fire Company Number 4

October is Archives' Month - a month-long celebration of archivists and archival work. And this year's theme is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week. So "We didn't Start the Fire!", but we're helping prevent future ones from happening!

Donelson Branch Library has served its community since 1966. Its success has played an integral part in the approval of a new facility for Donelson. 

Breaking Blue Real Life Stories of Cops Falsely Accused

Sean “Sticks” Larkin (formally of Live PD fame) has written his first book Breaking Blue: Real Life Stories of Cops Falsely Accused. This book highlights his and other members of law enforcement’s experiences of being falsely accused.

bdsm 101 by rev jen

In BDSM 101 Rev Jen speaks frankly about sex and sex work, and her sexual encounters with partners and clients. The book functions as a how-to, and a biography on Rev Jen’s time as a pro-sub, and her life as a "consummate perv."
 

Cover of Bravo!: Poems About Brave Hispanics by Margarite Engle

During Hispanic Heritage Month we intentionally recognize the many contributions made by persons of Latin American, Hispanic, and Latina/o descent to every part of U.S. American life. Check out these picture book biographies about Hispanic and Latino trailblazers, strivers, and justice seekers. 

Unknown Green Hills home

One of the many services Metro Archives offers is property research, which can be a complicated process, so this blog post is here to provide some clarity of what's involved and how you can start the research on your own! And no, we can't tell you if your home is haunted, sorry. 

There are more comics to read than ever before, and now there's a new way to read them: Comics Plus!

Alive at Work: The Neuroscience of Helping Your People Love What They Do

Are you wondering how to motivate employees to be their best self? Alive at Work: The Neuroscience of Helping Your People Love What They Do by Daniel M. Cable discuss why this is lacking in some organizations and how to create an environment that allows for creativity and increase productivity.  

Portrait of Genevieve Baird Farris

This edition of the Metro Archives' intern blog post series comes to you from summer intern, Sabrina Austin, who processed the Genevieve Baird Farris Collection for her internship project. While processing, Sabrina learned about the strong affection the Harris family had for each other, as well as how active they were in Nashville social life. Learn about them from Sabrina herself!

Globe of wold made up of stacks and different formations of books

Add some picture books in translation to your reading routine! Picture books by international creators offer different perspectives, and feature groundbreaking art and narratives.

Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers

Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers is the long awaited return of Kendrick Lamar. This album discusses what he was dealing with during his absence and the growth that came along with it. 

1888 Sanborn Maps

The third week of June marks "Lightning Safety Awareness Week", and we just so happen to be transcribing more weather journals right now thanks to volunteers, so here are some excerpts from these journals that highlight some of the various "electrical events" in Nashville's past. 

Diversity in the Workplace

In the book Diversity in the Workplace, Bari A Williams, Esq. conducts a series of interviews discussing some of the diversity challenges that happen in the workplace. The goal of this book is to induce conversations about privilege, identity and bias. 

legendborn by tracy deonn

Bree Matthews thinks she's found the perfect escape from her parents and small town when she's accepted into UNC-Chapel Hills residential program for high school students. But then her mom dies, and her perfect escape becomes an escape from grief and guilt. Then, magic and mythical monsters turn to reality which puts everyone around her in peril. 

Check out some of the things NPL staff members have done to help build a more sustainable Nashville!

Military portrait of Bernard Sanderson

This blog post comes to you from Metro Archives' intern, Sami Olesen, who processed the Bernard Sanderson Collection for her internship project. While processing the collection, she learned that Bernard Sanderson led quite an eventful life. But don't listen to me - let Sami tell you his story. 

Tennessean clipping from May, 1950

On Friday, April 1st, 2022, the 1950 U.S. Census records were released, and that provides a lot of new information for anyone researching their family. This set came with some new ways to search as well, which also comes with some bumps in the road, so here are some helpful tips of how to conduct your research. 

Cover of Kats Hats by Daniel Pinkwater. Image contains one boy wearing a blue and white striped scarf and an orange tabby cat in the shape of a hat on his head.

At Kat Hats Incorporated, cats are trained to serve as hats  for people looking for maximum warmth. Who is the warmest cat, however, and how will he rise to the challenge when his skills are called upon? 

anti diet christy harrison

Over half of Americans have dieted at some point in their lives. Upwards of 90% of those who have intentionally lost weight have gained it back within five years. Plus, over half of those who embark on weight-loss efforts, end up gaining more weight than they lost. Why are we so obsessed with dieting when it is clearly ineffective? 

The problem is diet culture (aka the wellness diet): a system of beliefs that equates thinness to health and moral virtue. It promotes weight loss as a means of attaining higher status, and demonizes certain ways of eating while elevating others. Ultimately, it's sexist, racist, and classist, yet it's so enmeshed in our moral fabric that it's hard to recognize and extricate. Today, it masquerades as health, wellness, fitness, and inspirational Instagrams, but it's still all-consuming and harmful.

Emancipation Records for James Hendricks

Of the various projects that we work on in Metro Archives, the Nashville Enslaved and Free People of Color Database is one we started several years ago, and are still actively adding to. If you're interested in learning more about what the database includes and how to use it, please read on. 

Headshot of Ashley Bryan. He is an older African American man with white hair and a mustache,

During a career spanning over six decades, Ashley Bryan (1923-3022) illustrated more than 70 children's picture books in a variety of media and in several genres. 

Beth Deeb

Join Us as We Celebrate Women’s History Month by Recognizing a Few of the Amazing Ladies Who Call our Library Home

Nashville City Cemetery

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the founding of Nashville's oldest continuously-operated public cemetery - the Nashville City Cemetery. Nestled quaintly on the northeast side of Fort Negley and just off 4th Ave S, the cemetery might seem like only a quiet piece of Nashville's history, with only the graves of many Nashvillians. But if it could speak, it would have many interesting anecdotes to tell.

Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts

This review originally appeared in the Panel Discussion zine, a print supplement to the Main Library's Panel Discussion book club. If you'd like to join the club or receive a copy of the zine at your branch, email Jeremy at jeremy.estes@nashville.gov.

Discipline by Dash Shaw

Jeremy shares a review from the latest issue of the Panel Discussion zine. Pick up a copy of the zine at the Main Library or write to jeremy.estes@nashville.gov to get a copy sent to your branch. 

Crash Site by Nathan Cowdry

Jeremy shares a review from a recent issue of the Panel Discussion zine. This monthly zine is a print supplement to the Panel Discussion book club and can be found at the Main Library and select local stores. If you'd like a copy sent to your branch, email jeremy.estes@nashville.gov

Listing for W.T. Berry & Co. in 1859

Bookstores tend to be a popular shopping spot during the holidays, especially some of our local businesses such as Parnassus and Elder's Bookstore. But has that ever made you curious about the history of Nashville's local bookstores? Archives' Intern Sapphire is here to fill you in on a little literary history. 

We lost too many literary hard-hitters in 2021. Explore the works of a sampling of these talented writers whom we won't forget.

Rice's works have been a thread winding through my life, periodically making themselves known like snags in a sweater begging for attention and tending.

Best of 2021

Presenting my 11 favorite books of the year.  I really wanted it to be a top 10 list, but I couldn’t bring myself to cut any of these!
 

Nashville Public Library has a number of resources that help provide support and reassurance to children and adults with Diabetes I.

Evidence tag from the weapon shot by Jake Rader

Nashville is not a city that lacks in stories of feuds and strange murder cases, and I'm bringing you another one just in time for Halloween. It involves a business rivalry gone bad, from our recently-indexed Criminal Court Case Files. 

 

You may not realize it, but if you’re over 18 and you’re learning a subject or a skill outside of traditional “higher education” (think college or university), there is an entire branch of education (andragogy) dedicated to better understanding your unique needs, motivations, and approaches to learning.

View of Archives front doors

October is not only the month of pumpkin spice, ghosts, and candy corn...it's also Archives' Month! That means it's the month that we honor the work of all archivists, and work to raise awareness of the importance of historical documents and records. So, in celebration of this fun-filled month, here's a little behind-the-scenes peak at Metro Archives and their staff. 

Cover of Bright Star by Yuyi Morales. Pink background with a fawn and cactus.

The publication of a new book by Yuyi Morales is always a cause for celebration—and for immediately placing a hold on one's library account. Published in September of this year, Bright Star is an incandescently beautiful picture book about love, courage, and caring for one another

Quiver book cover

It's Banned Books Week! Tennessee Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee shares a few of its favorite challenged or controversial books.

Children can learn the basic rules of social engagement from an early age.  Nashville Public Library's catalog has the resources for teaching and learning social skills.

Yoke: my yoga of self acceptance

Yoga means to yoke. Yoke means to join together. So, what are we joining together when practicing yoga? Is it simply a workout, or something else? Jessamyn Stanley explores the idea of yoking when it comes to yoga, especially among American practitioners.

Page from Newsweek magazine, from September 2001

This is part II in the series commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11/2001 attacks. This post continues with more library staff memories of that day. 

Photo of 9/11 Memorial in NYC

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and to remember all those lost due to that day's tragic events, this post takes a look back at that day through the eyes of several Library staff members, and a few other unique perspectives. 

New Nonfiction

2021 has been a great year for nonfiction so far.  Here are four titles you may have missed:

Book Cover of Sharing a Smile by Nicki Kramar

Picture books can help children (and their parents) process big emotions around major life events, such as the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Children's book creators have risen to the occasion and produced books that children and adults can both enjoy. 

High Anxiety

Anxiety is hard to live with, but it makes for some great literature.

Summertime fun times almost always include ice cream!  Celebrate summer with your family by creating your own icy cold treats at home.  It's easy and we have resources!

Book cover of My First Day

The first day of elementary school is a big event in a child’s life. Some children mark the day with new outfits and a bevy of pictures. Others, meanwhile, begin the first of many intrepid commutes to school. This delightful picture book details one such adventure to get to school. 

If you're looking for some simpler, lighter recipes for the summer months, this beautifully designed cookbook will give you the inspiration you need.

Can you believe it?! The downtown library has called Church Street home for 20 years now! Let's take a look back at the history of the downtown library, and how it came to call 615 Church Street home. 

Sharing short travel experiences outside of the city is a great way to make memories and learn more about our beautiful state's past and present.  Shown is York Mill located on the Wolf River in Pall Mall.

Just the Good Stuff book cover

Just the Good Stuff has this magical quality where everything you make is somehow better than it ought to be.

elevation by stephen king

Scott Carey looks normal, yet he is gradually losing more and more weight. The problem is he has no idea why this is happening, and he is scare of what might happen when the scale reads zero.

From Metro Archives Photos - Metro Council member, Thelma Harper

The world lost an extraordinary woman on April 22nd, 2021, when former State Senator Thelma Harper passed away. After making history by becoming the first African American female elected to the State Senate, her work of shattering ceilings was far from over. Here's a look back at her impressive career and generous life. 

From City Beautiful Scrapbook in 1956 - Ford Green Elementary students with anti-litter signs

Keeping the streets, rivers, and neighborhoods clean in this city over the years hasn't been easy, but one of the ways was with the City Beautiful Commission, that was established in 1953. In honor of Earth Day, here's a look at the commission that helped clean up the streets and neighborhoods in Nashville. 

Pop Culture Nonfiction book covers

Here is my favorite type of book: the kind where you have to keep stopping to Google things.

self care kit contents
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Self-care is the act of preserving your health and well-being, especially during times of stress. NPL staff share their favorite restorative practices to help them cope.

Book Cover of Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued

There are not many picture books about the Holocaust. Published earlier this year, Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued tells two intertwined stories. 

Best American Food Writing 2020 book cover

The newest entry to the popular Best American series, Best American Food Writing started in 2018 with Ruth Reichl as the first editor and has been consistently outstanding.

Seed Starts in Eggshells

Are you ready to get growing again? Your Nashville Public Library Seed Exchange team is back after a brief winter hiatus, and invites you to borrow seeds for your spring, summer, and fall gardens. If you're not growing herbs, let Herb Society of Nashville's Todd Breyer inspire you! Breyer kindly shared stories from his career as a landscape architect and his life-long journey as a gardener.

whoever you are

Looking for new favorites that support early reading skills like rhyme, repetition, colors, and numbers? Here is a list of books with diverse representation and inclusive themes for a young audience. 

Wonder Woman: Dead Earth

Wonder Woman’s place in DC’s trinity--along with Batman and Superman--has never been in doubt, but finding a story which suis not only her messy backstory but also the near-omnipotence of her powers has proved difficult for many creators.

Panel Discussion is a monthly book club for adults focused exclusively on comics and graphic novels. We meet (virtually) at 12pm on the first Wednesday of every month. 

Rob Liefeld's 1990s creation John Prophet character was reimagined in 2012 to great effect by a new generation of comics creators. 

illustration of corrective heart surgery using a shunt
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If February is both Heart Month and Black History Month, then it is most certainly Vivien Thomas Month! 

The CDC reported that 1 in 54 children were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2016.  The diagnosis can seem daunting but knowledge is power.  Nashville Public Library has the resources to provide knowledge and understanding for parents, friends, siblings and others.

View of Market Street

2020 went out with an unfortunate bang in Nashville, when on Christmas morning, a Nashville resident blew up his RV on 2nd Ave N. As a dedication to the individuals and businesses impacted, here's a look back at the history of 2nd Ave. This is 2-part series, part I covering 19th century Market Street and part II covering 20th Century 2nd Ave.  

Together book cover

If you feel yourself withdrawing from others right now after months of limited social interaction, I highly recommend this book.  

The difficult periods of life will hurt, but beauty can still found within them. Katherine May recounts a painful season and the inevitability of sadness in her nonfiction book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times.   

Colonel George H. Morgan received the nation's highest military honor and went on to teach at Hume-Fogg High School in 1924-1925.

Tennessean photo from 2003 when the bears were being cleaned

Most citizens of this city that have lived here for a few years know what I'm referring to when I say the "Edgehill Polar Bears", but do you know the history of them? Well here are the "bear" necessities.

person in mask holding a basket of hand sanitizer
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If the commercial demands of winter holidays stress you out, December 2020 offers the chance to embrace a new way to be present with the season.

New Era clipping from April 7th, 1870 in celebration of the ratification of the 15th Amendment

The phrase "voting rights" encompasses a LOT of history, even when narrowed to the history of voting rights in Tennessee. While I wish I could write a blog post that includes all the important gains and struggles of voting rights in this state, instead, I'm narrowing it to a few highlights, starting with noting the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment. 

dreads by alfonse pagano and francesco mastalia

It's insane that Eurocentric beauty standards have made people of the African diaspora think that their natural hair and skin color are unpresentable. --Me

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned...especially when the woman scorned is a witch.  Maria Owen navigates joy, pain, and the trials and tribulations that come with love in Alice Hoffman's Magic Lessons.  

10 Overlooked Gems of 2020

Here are two novels, a short story collection, three nonfiction books, and four movies that I wish had gotten more attention in this overwhelming year.  With a special focus on women authors and actors!
 

The Trail of Tears is a part of the American story that is often ignored. This blog lists some of the children's books that are available as well as short day trips to significant places in the life of one Uchi girl.

James Estes' voter registration card, 1945

Since most of this year has seemed like an episode out of a sci-fi novel, and it's not lost on anyone that we're living through a major historical event, here are some suggestions of important things you might consider keeping for posterity's sake. 

Book Cover of Luci Soars by Lulu Delacre

 Luci Soars is the newest book by prolific author and illustrator Lulu Delacre. When you're different, it can seem like the whole world is against you. How can you rise above it? 

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It’s open enrollment season for the health insurance Marketplace (“Obamacare”). Learn more about the benefits of Marketplace plans, and get local, 1-on-1 enrollment help starting November 2. 

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic

A house that's "sick with rot, stinks of decay, booms with every single evil and cruel sentiment" would definitely get a five star rating on a "terrifying vacation destinations" booking site; and it is the absolute perfect setting for Sylvia Moreno-Garcia's chilling 2020 novel.

Book Cover of a New Kind of Wild

When Ren has to move to a gray and concrete city, will he miss his home in the wild and beautiful el Yunque too much to see anything magical ever again? Published just this year, A New Kind of Wild is a delightful, imaginative picture book.

harleen by stejpan stejic

Harleen has spent her whole psychiatric career trying to understand and rehabilitate criminals. She's now in Arkham Asylum, interviewing the most deranged and maladaptive criminals anyone has ever seen, but one stands out above the rest:The Joker. With strange dreams come intense longing and obsession for the good doctor's Mr. Jay. This is Harleen's fall, and the rise of Harley Quinn.

Sign advertising the construction of the Municipal Auditorium

While September is normally my month for educational posts, I'm bypassing that this year for something different - new images and footage! As a continuation from a previous post with old photos, this post includes a slideshow of a collection I've been processing the past few weeks, plus some new footage from our Audiovisual Heritage Center. 

Start Simple book cover

Almost six months into constant cooking, you may feel in need of some inspiration.  Luckily, NPL has lots of eBook cookbooks that you can access immediately!

As we round the corner to our virtual opening on August 18, we're capping off our Nashville Voices series with one last story—a powerful testimonial from a powerful woman.

The Brooklyn Heights Community Garden that Nella Pearl Frierson founded nurtures more than local produce.

National Immunization Awareness Month
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Vaccines have worked to stop the spread of serious diseases in recent history. All eyes are on the race to develop one for the virus that causes COVID-19. 

The Oldest Student Book Cover Image

To all of you out there "adulting" - spending time reading a children's picture book can be a delightful way to focus your thoughts while you appreciate some art and gain unexpected nuggets of wisdom.

The world knew Reverend C.T. Vivian and U.S. Rep John Lewis  as giants. But, before they were icons, they were young men beginning a journey in Nashville. 

We celebrate and remember what Reverend C.T. Vivian and U.S. Rep. John Lewis did for Nashville and for Nashville Public Library.

image of hands and text that says National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
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The toxic stress that Black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) experience from racism is known to cause chronic mental and physical health problems. National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month brings attention to this issue.

Ad from the Nashville Globe newspaper for Dr. Josie E. Wells

Since we're closed, here's a virtual tour of Metro Archives' current exhibit of "Nashville Voices - 36 Notable Women of Nashville", as it's finished right now. And discussing one of the recently added women in the display - Dr. Josie E. Wells...maybe a couple more individuals as I continue working

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Has the pandemic got you down? Are you overwhelmed by all the movies on Hoopla and can't decide what to watch? Have no fear, Movies @ Main host Bill is here with some excellent recommendations that you can watch without a wait.

Frank Cotton is a hedonist. Frank Cotton is done with the paltry pleasures of this world, and is determined to find pleasure from beyond the human realm. Frank Cotton regrets that decision.

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Drawing can help us express and process our emotions. It's also a popular way to share personal stories of illness, and to learn about health.

This month's Nashville history post is letting photography do the talking, with a variety of slideshows for all to enjoy. Starting with a tribute to all medical workers for their dedicated service during these trying times, to finishing with a little more of "Some Good News - Archives Edition." 

Lauri Newell doesn’t think of her life as extraordinary.

“But then again,” she says, “I’m getting to nurture my family and our dreams at the same time."

Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I think now is a good time to revisit one of my favorite subjects: being good to yourself.

Did you know that Asian Pacific American Heritage month is traditionally celebrated in May? This year, we might not be able to throw a big party, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get our Asian Pacific American read on.

With the extra time on our hands after a month of quarantine, maybe there are other things we can spend our time on, like preserving family ephemera. This is an assisted blog post from my coworker, Christine Irizarry, who writes about the importance of family letters. And the latter part talks about preserving your family records. 

How does a vacation to a far-off destination sound to you? Maybe with a beautiful, sandy beach or a picturesque french countryside; amazing right? And also not physically feasible for most people right now. But that doesn't mean you can't still go to these places, just check out one of these books. 

With Earth Day just around the corner, let's take a look at some ideas for easy, around-the-house activities you can do to help out the planet.

With the changing times and means to educate while schools are closed, it can be difficult for parents-now-turned-teachers to homeschool on such short notice, and possibly without a lot of resources. That's where Metro Archives and the Library come in handy. And who says educating can't be fun? So here's a word search I created with words and names pertaining to the founding of the city of Nashville. 

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News travels fast on social media, and sometimes it can be false and dangerous. Stop the spread of bad health information with these quick tips.

Borrowing John Krasinski's idea of reporting "Some Good News" during these troubling times, here are some historic news clippings from past pandemics or epidemics that have affected Nashville. But instead of including news articles about the actual devastation from the illnesses, these are more positive stories during the same time frame or at least examples of positives from the desolation.  

During these times of sheltering at home, patrons and staff alike are missing regular in-person library programming. Here at NPL in 2020, we also had to postpone special in-person library events for the year's Nashville Reads title, Dreamers by Yuyi Morales. While that is sad, the good news is that you can still enjoy books and activities inspired by the marvelous Yuyi Morales's works while you're at home! 

Parent and caregivers, we know it's challenging to have your children at home during this pandemic. Here is a roundup of online resources that can help kids stay engaged in learning—preventing their brains from "turning to mush" while they are not in school.

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Jessamyn Stanley speaks about how she got started on her yoga journey. She also speaks about how readers can get started on their own yoga journeys.

Even with all this free time, it can still be tough to find the motivation to write or get our kids to write. Here are a few of my favorite writing prompts to get the pen to the paper.

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We're turning off holds while we're closed. How do you keep track of books you want to read and movies you want to watch if you can’t put them on hold? Use the My Lists feature in our web catalog!

This is a great collection for the ghost story neophyte or for the old hand at enjoying ghost stories.  The editors present a collection that includes both classic and new tales from established authors in the genre. In bringing these masterful tales back from the dead, Ghost Stories will enlighten and frighten both longtime fans and new readers of the genre.

Soooo this year has started off rather interestingly...and by interesting I mean NOT GREAT, so far. So instead of writing a whole bunch of historic info, I'm just giving you all photos this month. These are some of my favorites from our collection that I hope may bring a smile to some of your faces. 

Periods of self-distancing and isolation can make us feel anxious and BORED. Here are some recommendations for ebooks that help you fill the time with activity or stillness.

If you weren't able to check out any physical books from the Library before self-isolating at home, or perhaps the one you have hasn't turned out to be very good - don't worry! Here are some recommendations for titles to check out NOW from the Library's Overdrive page. 

When it seems like everything has changed and nothing will ever be the same, books can be a welcome constant.

I’m really a ghost story kind of guy, but the title of this book intrigued me:  Mystery Writers of America Presents VENGEANCE, edited by Lee Child.  I remembered really fun stories about vengeance from my high school teaching days—“The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe sticking out most in my mind.

In honor of African American History Month, and to highlight a few individuals in Metro Archives' new display on Nashville women, this blog post is dedicated to a few notable women of Music City.

You know when you pick it up that a book whose writer has won the Nobel Prize in Literature is going to be an important read.  I picked up The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing because it piqued my curiosity. 

2020 is an important anniversary year for a couple of reasons. Most notably is the 19th Amendment, which we'll be celebrating with a new permanent exhibit in Special Collections (in addition to a few other temporary exhibits in the building). But another important Amendment went into effect 100 years ago this month that had a long-lasting impact on the country, and that's Prohibition.

It's been 26 years in the making, but 2020 will be the year I finally learn to ride a bike - with the library's help of course.

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"I find that regularly practicing tai chi is relaxing and helps to reduce stress. It has helped to improve my focus, muscle strength, flexibility, and balance." -Ann Hargis, Tai Chi instructor

What's good about frigid and dreary winter weather? It's the perfect excuse to curl up with a good book.

Check out this wealth of recommendations from some of our bloggers, and find out a bit more about them as you do.

This time of year may mostly be associated with the various holidays we celebrate, but it's also well-associated with cold, awful weather (except for these past few weeks) and keeping ourselves warm with our HVAC systems. However, there was a time in Nashville's past that staying warm also meant being covered in soot as well. 

Well folks here we are at the end of another year. I've laughed, I've cried, and I've definitely hit my reading goal. Let me tell you all about my 2019 stand outs.

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December marks the shortest days of the year for sunlight, which can negatively affect your mood and mental health. The rest of winter doesn't offer much more sunlight than December does. Learn the signs, symptoms and treatments for depression that has a seasonal pattern, also referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.

December and January present a rich opportunity to explore how different cultural traditions celebrate the winter holidays. Branch out from snowmen, reindeer, and candy canes by learning about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day.

My favorite holiday tradition is watching an old Fruity Pebbles commercial in which Barney Rubble, disguised as Santa, tries to steal Fred Flintstone’s cereal. 

Not sure what to bring to the table this Thanksgiving? Don't worry—I've got you covered.

September of this year has come and gone, and so has 50 years since the release of the The Beatles' last and arguably most iconic album, Abbey Road. Read a little about the history of the album and about The Beatles in Nashville (separately unfortunately, never together). 

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More than 1 in 3 Americans have prediabetes, but only 10% know it. Use this quick screening tool to assess your risk.

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I love love love cozy mysteries. These books and shows are what I consume after reading and/or watching my other favorite genres—Horror and SciFi. Cozies are what I cozy up to when I’m feeling too exhausted and stressed. They are also what I go to if I don’t want to be overwhelmed by too graphic or too explicit content. All the TV series mentioned have books associated with the series. All of the series mentioned here are available from Nashville Public Library!

Even though most of Joan Samson's novel The Auctioneer takes place during the three seasons of the year that aren't winter, it possesses a bleak and chilly atmosphere that might as well be the coldest day in January.

A cookbook, an essay collection, a chef memoir, and a book by a James Beard Award-winning food journalist.

Books can serve as both windows and mirrors. All children should have access to both. We provide curated lists featuring diverse children from varying backgrounds and experiences.

Right now, in the basement of the library, in the puppet workshop, a story is being brought to life. It is the story of Lorraine: the Girl Who Sang the Storm Away. Let’s take a behind-the-scenes look at this brand new show by Wishing Chair Productions in collaboration with Old Crow Medicine Show front man Ketch Secor.

Mark your calendars! The Southern Festival of Books is October 11-13.  The festival takes place at Nashville Public Library and War Memorial Plaza and is free and open to the public.