Looby Branch Library

🏢 Nashville Public Library — Nashville, Tennessee

Looby Branch Library

Named for civil rights attorney Z. Alexander Looby, this North Nashville branch pairs a public library with a community theater just steps from Rosa L. Parks Boulevard.

📞 (615) 862-5867🌐 library.nashville.gov

🕑 Library Hours

Monday 10 AM – 6 PM
Tuesday 10 AM – 6 PM
Wednesday 10 AM – 6 PM
Thursday 10 AM – 6 PM
Friday 10 AM – 6 PM
Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours may vary on holidays.

📍 Location & Contact

Address: 2301 Rosa L Parks Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37228

Phone: (615) 862-5867

Website: library.nashville.gov

📖 About Looby Branch Library

The Looby Branch opened in 1976 as a tribute to Dr. Z. Alexander Looby, the NAACP attorney and Nashville city councilman who served as chief counsel for the students arrested during the 1960 lunch-counter sit-ins. On April 19, 1960, Looby's North Nashville home was bombed in an assassination attempt he survived; the attack galvanized a silent march of thousands to the courthouse that helped desegregate downtown. Fittingly, the branch that carries his name is more than a reading room: it doubles as a community center anchored by a theater used for performances and public gatherings. Inside, patrons find meeting rooms, public computers, Wi-Fi, and a seed exchange, while public art installations line the building. The branch sits on Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, tying its address to the broader civil rights story it commemorates.

⭐ What makes this branch special

  • Named for civil rights attorney and councilman Z. Alexander Looby
  • Combines a library with a community theater for performances and events
  • Seed exchange, meeting rooms, and public art installations
  • On Rosa L. Parks Boulevard in North Nashville

📱 Free with a Nashville Public Library Card

Any Tennessee resident can get an NPL card free and unlock:

📚 Libby / OverDriveeBooks & audiobooks free with your NPL card.
🎧 hooplaMovies, music, comics & more, no waitlist.
🎞 KanopyStream films & documentaries free.
💡 Tennessee Electronic LibraryTennessee's free statewide research databases.

📍 More Nashville Public Library branches

Main LibraryHours & info →Hadley Park Branch LibraryHours & info →East Branch LibraryHours & info →Richland Park Branch LibraryHours & info →Bellevue Branch LibraryHours & info →Bordeaux Branch LibraryHours & info →Madison Branch LibraryHours & info →Green Hills Branch LibraryHours & info →

← All Nashville libraries  ·  All Tennessee →

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Z. Alexander Looby, the branch's namesake?

He was an Antigua-born NAACP attorney and Nashville city councilman who defended the students arrested during the 1960 sit-ins. His home was bombed on April 19, 1960, in an attack he survived, prompting a mass silent march to the courthouse.

Does the Looby Branch have a theater?

Yes. The branch functions as both a library and a community center and includes a theater space used for performances and community programming.

Is there a seed exchange at the Looby Branch?

Yes. Along with public computers, Wi-Fi, and bookable meeting rooms, the branch runs a seed exchange where patrons can pick up and share seeds.

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