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The Library's History

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PRESENTING A HISTORY OF LIBRARIES IN BRENTWOOD

1930s

The American Legion Libraries

The luxury of a library nearby is only a recent phenomenon. The closest library for Brentwood began in Franklin in the 1920s when the American Legion opened its Masonic Hall to the public. It was known in the area as the American Legion Library. The Franklin Business Women’s Club raised enough to build a temporary public library by June 26th, 1936, and it was popular enough that Williamson County built its first county library in the Old Bank building in Franklin. Roberta Wikle was the first Brentwood library board representative.

1950s

Dr. Barkers Drug Store

Despite having a public library in Franklin for Brentwood residents, it was a long drive at the time, and several private businesses filled the gap to offer books to the public. The most well-known private initiative was Dr. Barker’s Drug Store on the northwest corner of Old Hickory Blvd and Franklin Road. Dr. Barker left room for a three-shelf bookcase for the public via the honor system to return what they borrow. The building has since been replaced with a Shell gas station today.

1968

Brentwood Cleaners

The Brentwood Cleaners eventually partnered with the Blue Grass Regional Library. They allowed three bookshelves for the community if it would be maintained by the Library system. Circulation reached 540 books in the first year. The cleaners kept the bookshelves until 2001.

1976

Williamson County Brentwood Library

The first permanent library was completed on June 15th, 1976 at the Maryland Farms Complex. At the time it was a branch of the Williamson County Library System. It was only 950 sq. feet, but considerably larger than 3 shelves in a business. It was open only 41 hours a week (closed on Sundays). A library card was $3.00. Filmstrips were available upon request, and all printing services would be sent to Franklin for completion.

1979

The Buchanan House Library

The city purchased the Buchanan House from Claude Dunn for $200,000 for office space, but eventually gave it to the library. It was 2,400 sq. feet, and gave the library its first chance at complexity. It held 16,000 items and allowed for a reference area. There was enough space for programs and had a hidden back staircase. Kathryn Shelhart was its first librarian. Some of the fun summer programming included gathering for Benjy’s Playhouse, becoming a clown, and making pomanders (a perfumed-ball that was worn or carried to protect oneself against infection in times of pestilence. It was also used to counter bad smells). Forty-two children read their 25 books to get a gift card for an ice cream cone. The top reader read a total of 196 books that summer.

1983

The Brentwood Library Is Born

Brentwood took full control of the library in Brentwood in 1983, and hired Gina Bradford as its the first Director. She helped to raise $2000 dollars from Brentwood Place Cinemas and celebrities such as T.G. Sheppard, Jerry Reed, Chris Clark, and Colleen Chapel to buy the first children’s collection.

1987

The New Maryland Farms Library

The city decided to expand the library in a new two-story facility donated by the Maryland Farms. Study carrels and a computer were available to the public, as well as VCR tapes, records, and artwork. Expectations were that it would become a permanent facility, with 14,000 sq. feet and space for 60,000 items. A parade was held opening day, and Mayor Blackburn declared that every last Saturday of April would be thereafter known as Brentwood Library Day.

1998

A Surprising Discovery

Brentwood continued to grow and so did the need for a larger library. The current location at 8109 Concord Road was decided because it was directly in the middle of town and near a major highway that would give fast access from all over town. As workers began to dig out the parking lot, construction was halted, when a grave was uncovered. Further investigation discovered that the library sat on a Mississippian tribal village dating back to the 1200s. The Mississippian people lived in Brentwood until around the 1600s when they disappeared. Its people were best known for their ceremonial mounds such as the site at Cahokia near St. Louis. Archaeologists worked with tribal leaders in the region to recover and preserve the graves and artifacts before construction was resumed.

2002

One Millionth Patron Served

As the Layne family were walking in to check out books, a rain of balloons dropped on them from above. The balloons were in celebration of the library’s one millionth patron at the new facility in only four years time. The achievement was not without its merit, as the Brentwood library was the most visited library in the state with the highest checkout rating as well. As for the Layne family, they were given a book bag, a plethora of children’s books, a fine-free library card, and a drawing of the library, in celebration.

2009

The Latest Library Expansion

The new library encapsulated the ever-changing model of libraries from books to services. Over 8,000 square feet of the children’s area was painted by a local artist, and plaster trees were added to give the space a feeling of outdoor adventure. Circulation no longer just includes the latest books and technology, but musical instruments, telescopes, and public wifi. In 2009 the library expanded from 43,000 square feet to 55,000 in order to offer a specific area for teens, business specialists, and tutoring space.

2017

The John P. Holt Brentwood Library

In 2017, O’Delle K Holt agreed to leave $4.25 million to the city to establish and/or maintain a public library to be named the John P. Holt Brentwood Library, after her late husband. The Holt family were longtime Brentwood residents with family ties to the historic Crockett Home dating back to the 1800s. The city agreed to rename the library and use the funds on enhancements to the facility. Thanks to the generosity of supporters such as the Holts and many more, the library stands today as the cultural gem of the city. Its 55,000 square feet boast unique architecture and the latest library technology available to the public. To ensure that the funding made available was spent responsibly, the library conducted a survey to determine what the public wants in their library. Plans are currently in development to make those dreams a reality.