NPL - Flipbook - Page 33
anniversary, Nashville Public Library’s recognition as the 2017 Library of the Year
and, of course, the patrons who make it all
possible. Held at the home of Keith and Jon
Meacham and chaired by Anna Windrow,
the Patrons Party honored former Nashville
Mayor and Governor Phil Bredesen for his
foundational work that’s helped grow NPL
into a world-class library system. Guests
mingled with friends and colleagues before
sitting down to an insightful and entertaining conversation between Meacham and
Bredesen.
The Nashville Public Library Foundation
also invited the community to come together for a free Public Lecture given by the
Literary Award Honoree. On Saturday
morning, Elizabeth Gilbert joined Ann
Patchett at Montgomery Bell Academy
for an hour-long conversation touching
on everything from Gilbert’s classic memoir Eat, Pray, Love to her most recent book,
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear.
Finally, we capped off the weekend
by honoring Elizabeth Gilbert at our
annual black-tie Gala at the Main Library.
Co-chaired by Denine Torr and Laura
Anne Turner, the Literary Award Gala drew
its theme from Gilbert’s Big Magic, looking
to the future of NPL while celebrating where
we’ve been. More than 400 guests joined
us for an evening of cocktails, literary
conversation, and a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to meet and mingle with the
acclaimed author.
Following cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
in Ingram Hall, our guests ascended to
the Grand Reading Room for dinner and
remarks from co-chairs Torr and Turner,
Foundation president Shawn Bakker, and
Mayor Megan Barry. After dinner, Elizabeth
Gilbert accepted the 2017 Nashville Public
Library Literary Award with a moving personal story about the centrality of community to human thriving and creativity.
In addition to honoring Gilbert and celebrating the library, we remembered Nashville Public Library’s strongest advocate,
Margaret Ann Robinson, with the inaugural Margaret Ann Robinson Leadership
Award. Presented this year to Phil Bredesen, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, and the Turner Family, the award will
continue to be presented every five years
to individuals and organizations that have
championed the mission of Nashville Public
Library and its Foundation, just as Margaret
Ann did for more than thirty years.
This year’s Literary Award was a great success, raising close to $800,000 to support
the work of the Nashville Public Library
Foundation. Proceeds from the weekend’s
events ensure that NPL’s vital programs
continue to enrich our community for years
to come.
2017— 2018 ANNUAL REPORT
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