Curriculum

Library

The Hassenfeld Library More than Books

A great library in the 21stcentury is a physical, programmatic and virtual entity. The Hassenfeld Library is both a place and a portal designed to serve and inspire the entire school community.
 
In order to support the philosophy, mission and practices of the University School of Nashville, the library provides a welcoming environment for students, teachers, and parents to:
  • Pursue academic and personal interests
  • Engage with diverse ideas and information in a variety of formats
  • Work collaboratively to solve problems for the greater good
  • Develop knowledge and skills necessary for success in the 21st century
  • Cultivate a lifelong love of learning and reading
The Hassenfeld Library is open every school day from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Next-Generation ResourcesCuriosity & Curricular Integration

Library resources include:
  • People: librarians working with students and faculty, teaching research and information literacy skills, connecting readers to literature
  • Collections: from picture books to reference databases, for all grade and age levels
  • Spaces: geared for classes, group work, and individual study
  • Technology: as a tool for accessing the physical and virtual collection, as well as the wider world of information

Summer Reading Lists & Suggestions 2026-27

  • LibGuides Homepage LibGuides Homepage
    Discover all that the library has to offer: books, e-books, audiobooks, databases, research help, reading lists, and more.
  • Hassenfeld Library: Summer Reading List Info Hassenfeld Library: Summer Reading List Info
    Find the summer reading titles in our library catalog, and additional information about our summer reading lists, updated each May.
  • What Should I Read? What Should I Read?
    A guide to help you find a great book to read, for Lower, Middle, and High School students. Includes ALA booklists, the best of the book blogs, and more.
  • USN Archives USN Archives
    USN's extensive archives and on-site archivist works with alumni, faculty, students and the community to help bring our school's history forward.
  • Library Architecture & Recognition Library Architecture & Recognition

Library News

List of 4 news stories.

  • K-12 summer reading lists released

    English Department faculty and Hassenfeld librarians share their summer reading lists for rising grades K-12 and AP courses. View their suggestions at usn.org/reading.
    Read More

  • Sixth graders learn about book bans

    As sixth graders have been researching topics for their debate unit, focusing on First Amendment rights, they heard from two visitors about an issue that has been in the news locally: book banning and free speech.
    Read More
  • Students check out a book in Hassenfeld Library.

    Reshelve library books for summer

    Middle and High Schoolers' books checked out this school year are due back to the Hassenfeld Library by Friday, May 8. Lower Schoolers' books are due Friday, May 15. Rising Middle School and High School students will soon have the opportunity to check out books for the summer, and those books will be due Friday, August 21.
    Read More

  • Hassenfeld Library celebrates National Poetry Month

    To celebrate National Poetry Month, librarians are using K-12 voices to showcase a wide range of poetry at USN. Come by the Hassenfeld Library to celebrate USN's creativity through the art of poetry.
    Read More

Meet our Staff

List of 6 members.

  • Photo of Kate Pritchard

    Kate Pritchard 

    Library Director
    615-277-1126
    Simmons College - MLS
    Wesleyan University - BA
    At USN since: 2013
  • Photo of Emily Theobald

    Emily Theobald 

    K-4 Librarian
    Vanderbilt university - BS
    Vanderbilt - MEd
    At USN since: 2016
  • Photo of Kristin Frank

    Mrs. Kristin Frank 

    LS/MS Assistant Librarian
    Emory University - BA
    At USN since: 2017
  • Photo of Courtney Brown

    Courtney Brown 

    MS/HS Instructional Librarian
    University of Tennessee Knoxville - MLIS
    Lee University - Master's Degree in Teaching
    At USN since: 2023
  • Photo of Sydney Shansey

    Sydney Shansey 

    Library Assistant
    615-732-6718
    Belmont University - Bachelor of Music
    University of Hawai'i, Manoa - Master of Arts
    At USN since: 2025
  • Photo of Liz Bedford

    Liz Bedford 

    Archivist
    University of Tennessee, Knoxville - MSIS
    Savannah College of Art and Design - MA
    Auburn University - BS
    At USN since: 2026
  • Belonging Belonging
    Be part of a diverse community An inclusive environment DEI-B
  • Curriculum Curriculum
    K-12 Academic Excellence Teaching & Learning Academics
  • Foundations Foundations
    100+ Years of Teaching & Learning Since 1915 History

Contact USN

Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
Fax:       615-321-0889 
Email:    info@usn.org

River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218

Quick Links

USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.