Nashville Public Library- Bringing Books to Life

It is June 5, and we are five days into our 2026 Summer Reading Challenge! Have you been keeping track of your reading days? Every kind of reading counts, and for any length of time. Register online and log your reading, or pick up a paper log at your local library branch. For more information, check out the link in our bio, or talk to your favorite NPL librarian!

If you are planning a weekend visit to our Main Library branch in downtown Nashville this weekend, be aware that CMA Fest begins TOMORROW! CMA Fest will be from Thursday, June 4 through Sunday, June 7. There will be increased traffic, road closures, and large crowds. Plan for extra time if you come downtown!

This June our focus is on supporting English Language Learners in the early childhood classroom! English Language Learners, or ELLs, are children for whom English is not the primary language. This is not a deficit, however. It merely signals an area of growth and development. Young children can learn more than one language at the same time, and bilingualism is an asset for cognitive development, executive functioning, and cultural competency.

All the professional literature points to the value of using students' home language to support English language learning. Bring your students' home languages into the early childhood classroom by intentionally creating a welcoming, language-rich environment. Greet children using their home languages, for example. Label classroom items in English as well other languages. To support the learning of new vocabulary in English, use visuals like photographs and use gestures when communicating. Creating a welcoming, language-rich early childhood classroom environment is useful for all children's literacy development, whether or not they are monolingual or bilingual.

This , we have DELICIOUS news for families!

Starting Monday, June 1 the Metropolitan Action Commission (MAC) will provide free meals for youth at 90 sites across Davidson County! The MAC Summer Food Service program provides free breakfast and lunch at locations where youth 18 years and younger gather. ALL youth are eligible to participate, and meals must be eaten on site.

For more details or to find a location near you, visit the link in bio or call MAC at 615-862-8860.

🎉It's almost time for Summer Reading Challenge at ! 🎉

Get ready to read, have fun, and win prizes from June 1 - July 31. Individuals can sign up at any location or online to join the adventure.

Want to sign up your classroom, summer camp or other organization as a group? Contact your local branch to register!

This week, we're wrapping up our celebration of AANHPI month by exploring with our senses.

🌺Use maps and globes to see from where the AANHPI community comes. Identify groups and organizations led by local members of the community in your city. Are there restaurants or shops nearby? Can you find them on a map of your city?

🌺In the classroom and around your school or child care center, it's likely that several plants originally came from Asia or the Pacific Islands. Look around. Do you see bamboo? Camellias? Pothos? Hostas? Rubber plants (aka Ficus)? Encourage children to touch and smell the plants.

🌺Enjoy a snack of foods that originally came from Asia or the Pacific Islands. Many familiar fruits--pineapple, papaya, coconut, banana, orange--are from these places. Or, visit an AANHPI-owned market and bring fruits that may be less familiar (such as lychee, dragon fruit, or Asian pear) to enjoy.

We hope you enjoyed our celebration of AANHPI month!

Musician's Corner is back this Spring! Come out and bring the family for fun filled times outside! Concerts are Friday's and Saturday's at Centennial Park.

Stop by your local library and discover a book about someone different than you! Books are a wonderful way to make new discoveries!

Happy International Family Day! Today is a day to spend time with family and other community members, and create memories. Swipe to see some picture books that celebrate all families.

Join us this Saturday for our monthly educator workshop! This month’s workshop topic will be Every Child Ready to Read! This workshop is a refresher of the five simple ways to help children develop skills they need to learn to read, but with more emphasis on lessons and books to incorporate the skills for students. Attendees will receive two hours of TrainTN credit and a free book. Registration required. Click the link in bio to register.