The new Donelson branch of the Nashville Public Library system aims to anchor a new town center for a suburban area. 

The new Donelson branch of the Nashville Public Library system aims to anchor a new town center for a suburban area. 

Photographer: Nick McGinn

Design

With Roles as Civic Hubs, Libraries Turn Over a New Page

Cities looking to revive downtowns are increasingly leveraging the ability of public libraries to draw crowds and encourage economic development.

When Bonnie and Barry Augustine moved to the Nashville suburb of Donelson in 1980, they found a quiet neighborhood — too quiet.

“Very little traffic, very few restaurants,” said Barry, 80, a retired VA hospital administrator. “Not a great deal of things to do in the area.”