Nashville Public Library Donelson Branch Wins Environmental Stewardship Award for Building Green

The Nashville Public Library – Donelson Branch has been selected as the 2025 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award winner for the Building Green category. The award is one of nine in different categories announced today by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

In the heart of Donelson, a suburb east of downtown Nashville, the modern civic landmark is redefining what public spaces can achieve. The branch, which officially opened its doors in June of 2024, is a community hub, a sustainability showcase, and a model for responsible development in urban revitalization.

On the site of a declining strip mall, the 24,014-square-foot facility is an example of environmentally conscious design, earning LEED Gold Certification under the LEED v4 Building Design and Construction rating system. The building is a library for the future. From geothermal wells to solar power and native landscaping, every inch was designed to serve the public and protect the planet.

The high-performance green building design includes a 33-kilowatt rooftop solar array producing roughly 45,000 kWh annually at a projected energy cost savings of 19 percent; a geo-exchange system with 30 500-ft. wells for efficient heating and cooling; LED lighting with daylight sensors and building automation to reduce energy usage by 25 percent or more; high-efficiency plumbing fixtures projected to cut indoor potable water use by 26 percent; outdoor water usage reduced by 63 percent through native/adaptive landscaping and irrigation design; permeable pavers and a bioswale for stormwater filtration and flood mitigation; and over 61 percent of construction waste diverted from landfills.

The facility also prioritized indoor environmental quality, utilizing low-VOC paints, flooring, ceilings, and insulation, 97 percent of which were third-party verified to meet low-emission standards.

Sustainability is woven into the visitor experience through an innovative educational signage program led by Socket, the Metro Department of General Services’ sustainability outreach program. A "Socket Wall" near the entrance has rotating digital displays, sustainability tips, seed giveaways, and green-themed library book lists. Interactive signage inside and outside the building highlight energy and water-saving features. A children's “Socket the Dog” scavenger hunt engages young visitors with age-appropriate eco-lessons. Exterior signs detail the geo-exchange system, rooftop solar panels, and bioswales.

Additional ongoing sustainability initiatives include the Library of Things; reusable household tools and supplies; Repair Fairs to promote reuse and reduce waste; recycling and composting programs; a seed exchange station; EV charging stations; and bike racks to support green transportation.

In its first year, the new library welcomed over 154,000 visitors. The facility is already a sought-after tour destination for sustainability organizations, and educators, and serves as a hands-on learning hub for sustainable design, operations, and community resilience.

Other winners of the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards announced today in different categories are:

• Natural Resources – Sanofi, a global healthcare company
• Clean Air and Transportation Solutions – Averitt, a supply and logistics company
• Agriculture and Forestry – Cul2vate, a faith-driven nonprofit
• Water Quality – Copperhill Industries
• Sustainable Performance – The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
• Education and Outreach – University of Tennessee Extension Smart Yards program
• Materials Management – WM (formerly known as Waste Management)
• Energy and Renewable Resources – White Pine Solar Farm