picnic with the library

Now that we’re in Nashville, and we’ve had to a chance to catch our breath, we’re slowly but surely exploring a little more. Appreciating our city for what it truly is.

Family group pic alert: Because one not-so-little gem that we recently discovered is the Nashville Public Library.

They’re kind of known for how amazing they are… our friends already let us in on this not-so-little secret. But we were thrilled to partner up, and participate in a local shindig last weekend: Picnic with the Library.

Per their website, because they say it much better than us:

In support of NPL’s Children’s Programming, Picnic with the Library offers families an afternoon of picnic-style food, drinks, fun and entertainment in the beautiful Robinson Courtyard and newly-remodeled Children’s Department at the Main Library. Activities include exclusive puppet performances by Wishing Chair Productions, music, crafts, face painting, a photo booth and more!

They had an amazing set up:

Foods named after books = Charlie and the Chocolate Brownie, anyone? I went through the line just to read the titles.

Tuck that one away for your next book club shindig. #booknerdforlife

They had something to please even the toughest of food critics.

With scavenger hunts around the library {and a chance to win a scrumptious cookie}

By the way, the center of the children’s section has this amazing little re-creation of downtown Nashville.

Where kids can play.

They’re doing it right.

They also had some great, {totally legit} musicians with a definite Nashville vibe

They had some great little shows for the kiddos,

And their favorite book characters everywhere.

Emerson scored a sparkle tattoo,

And these adorable puppets.

They could have entertained our older kiddos for hours.

The best part, though, was getting acquainted with everything that this awesome place has to offer.

Because besides their fun events, they have award-winning programs

To inspire kids and teens:

• Bringing Books to Life – A free, award-winning literacy program developed in partnership with early childhood educators and performance artists. Centered on the library’s literature-based marionette performances, BBTL takes library resources on the road and equips teachers, parents and children with the skills and tools needed to foster reading readiness at home and lay the groundwork for future school success.

• Nashville Afterzone Alliance – NAZA is a nationally-recognized system of free, high-quality afterschool programs that provide academic support and new creative outlets for Metro Nashville middle school students.

• Studio NPL – something our oldest is interested in – Out-of-school learning experiences for middle and high school students are crucial to readying teens for college, the workforce and beyond. At Studio NPL, the library’s innovative, mentor-based learning space, teens can access sophisticated technology and develop digital literacy skills and 21st century competencies that are key to higher education and lifelong success.

We love these programs.

They have so much more to foster lifelong learning and community engagement, like their summer reading, courtyard concerts + the adult literacy program. They also have advance library collections and resources, and more.

I’ve always said that I will have accomplished one of my many goals as a parent, if I can turn my kiddos into little book worms. When the last one {I was waiting on with baited breath} plopped themselves independently on the sofa the other night, and got lost in a chapter book, I almost fell on the floor in pure joy. I literally could have cried.

We plan to keep it up over the summer, and adore the resources this space has to offer. It’s not something we’ll be taking for granted.

We’re thrilled to be a part of something so exciting. If you live locally and haven’t checked it out yet, don’t miss it. If you ever visit Nashville, it’s definitely a destination to add to your list of things to see and do.

Have you been before? Be sure to pop in a few times this summer. You won’t regret it.

We love Nashville, and are super proud of our awesome library.

Some of these photos are ours, but the others were used with permission from the Library, courtesy of Mary Craven Photography + Mackenzie Luttrell

Have an inspired day!