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 2025-26

  • 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 News

List of 4 news stories.

  • MS Librarian Courtney Brown, 5th Grade English Teachers Lauren Gage and Kevin Foster, Alice Gage '34, Ford Hale '33, Isaac Karpinos '33, Paxton Vogt '33, and Eliza Hale '36 pose for a photo with Reynolds during the Southern Festival of Books.

    MS students, teachers meet with award-winning author

    During the Southern Festival of Books, several USN students and teachers met with author Jason Reynolds at Parnassus Books.
    Read More
  • The “Censorship Is So 1984

    Library, High School artists celebrate Banned Books Week

    Every year, the American Library Association (ALA) invites libraries and communities to uphold the freedom to read by observing Banned Books Week. Read on to find out how the Hassenfeld Library celebrates this occasion, and to learn about an inspiring project from Emily Holt’s Book Art class last spring.
    Read More

  • Bibliophile's paradise puts 10K books within reach

    Fall Book Frenzy is University School of Nashville's annual used book and media sale benefiting the Hassenfeld Library. Hours are:
    - Thursday, September 25  from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the USN community only
    - Friday, September 26 from 12 to 7 p.m. for the USN community only
    - Saturday, September 27 from 9 to 3 p.m. This day is open to the general public, and the fill-your-bag sale takes place the last hour at 2 p.m. for $10/bag.
    Read More

  • Return your summer library checkouts

    If your student checked out any books from the Hassenfeld Library over the summer, they are due back to the library Friday, August 15.
    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 

    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 Katherine Trammell

    Ms. Katherine Trammell 99

    Archivist
    Macalester College - BA
    MTSU - MA
    TN College of Applied Technology - Tech. Diploma
    At USN since: 2021
  • 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
  • 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.