NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 6th annual Picnic with the Library event, hosted by the Nashville Public Library Foundation (NPLF), will take place virtually this year on Sunday, May 16. The family-focused event raises vital funds for Nashville Public Library’s award-winning early literacy initiatives that change the lives of more than 100,000 children per year across all 21 library branches and 150 childcare centers throughout Davidson Co. Event co-chairs Sara Bovender and Dee Patel selected Alice in Wonderland as the 2021 theme in recognition that we have all been “down the rabbit hole” the past year, but celebrating great things, like the Nashville Public Library Foundation (NPLF), promises to lift our community’s spirits.
“While we hoped to have families gather with us at the downtown branch for the 6th annual Picnic with the Library, we feel the safest option is to ‘picnic’ one more year at home,” said Shawn Bakker, president of the Nashville Public Library Foundation. “We envision families who live close to each other will celebrate together outside this year, along with those families who join us virtually from their own home. We have so many wonderful activities planned that will truly bring the celebration off-the-screen and offer incredible family engagement all while supporting the Library’s key children’s programming.”
The at-home picnic package, priced at $200 per family, will include Alice in Wonderland themed picnic games, crafts and snacks, as well as access to a special interactive virtual performance by Wishing Chair Productions, the Library’s resident puppet troupe. All proceeds from the packages directly support Nashville Public Library’s award-winning early literacy initiatives. Participants will also have the chance to participate in an art contest leading up to the virtual event for a chance to win an extra special prize package.
Exclusive to the Picnic with the Library event is the opportunity to win a private puppet performance from NPL’s Puppet Truck. The beloved Puppet Truck frequents Nashville public events and libraries, and the Picnic event offers a raffle to win the once-a-year opportunity to reserve the truck for a private event of your choosing.
To learn more about the annual fundraiser, or to participate in the Virtual Picnic with the Library, visit www.nplf.org/picnic.
ABOUT THE NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
The Nashville Public Library Foundation (NPLF), founded in 1997, is a 501(c)3 organization with focus on supporting and fundraising for Nashville Public Library (NPL). As a department of Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, the library depends on public funding to support operations and maintenance; however, it thrives because of private investment. NPLF has raised over $50 million to advance the impact of NPL programs and initiatives, as well as extend the reach and essential nature of NPL. These gifts allow the library to encourage young minds to read, give teens a safe space to explore state-of-the-art technologies and provide training and resources to adults and new Americans in need of support.
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