Education & Research
Research and Learning
Special Collections
Repository and research center for historic Nashville materials. Maintains Oral History collections, local artifacts, and primary sources.
Metro Archives
Historically valuable records relating to the local government bodies of the City of Nashville, Davidson County, and Metropolitan Government.
Civil Rights Room
A permanent space for reflection and education about the Civil Rights Movement in Nashville and around the world.
Votes for Women Room
Votes for Women is an interactive exploration exhibit at the Main Library.
Interlibrary Loan
Use this service to borrow books and articles beyond Nashville Public Library collection. Free to all library members.
Genealogy and Vital Records
Access obituaries; birth, death, and marriage records; and other resources for family history research.
New Computer Users
Find shortcuts to online learning tools. Download ebooks, magazines, music, and movies. Find out what technology is available at public libraries. Find computer classes and job search labs at a library near you.
Tours and School Visits
Learn about group tours of the Main Library and Civil Rights Room, and educational experiences for schools, universities, home school groups, and community groups.
NPL Means Business
An initiative to assist Nashville entrepreneurs and small business owners find resources through the library.
Education Services
For Educators
Specialized services for teachers borrowing library materials and visiting the library with classes.
For Parents and Families
Services for families.
Services for Teens
Special services for teens and tweens.
Featured Collections
Civil Rights Collection
Details the Civil Rights Movement in Nashville and across the country.
Veterans History Project
First-hand experiences of Davidson County veterans from World War I to the present.
Digital Collection
Digitized historical photographs, recordings, and oral histories related to Nashville history.
Naff Collection
Ryman Auditorium program booklets, photographs, and posters, from 1901-1955.
Nashville Banner Collection
The Nashville Banner was a daily run newspaper in Nashville, Tennessee, from April 10, 1876 to February 20, 1998.
Wilson Limited Editions Collection
Includes over 800 books, dating from 1929 to the present, most published by the Limited Editions Club and Arion Press.
Metro Arts Lending Library
Choose from a selection of artworks by local Nashville artists. The collection includes framed paintings, photographs, and mixed media.