Kate Pritchard appointed Interim Library Director
She will lead a team of four and manage a collection of nearly 30,000 books, numerous digital resources, and the PDS/USN Archive as well as continue to engage students with books for education and entertainment.
After several months of bringing candidates from across the Southeast — and the world — to USN, we’ve found the best person to lead the Hassenfeld Library has been with us all along. Kate Pritchard will serve as Interim Library Director this school year.
Pritchard joined USN in 2013, having previously worked at the Wilbraham Public Library in Massachusetts, providing reference services and running the teen program, and as an editor at BookPage, a monthly book review magazine. Since then she has become known among our students for her Ms. Frizzle-like enthusiasm for engaging children and teenagers with books for education and entertainment. Pritchard teaches information literacy classes, hosts book clubs, leads reading challenges, writes columns on young adult literature for In the Middle and Tigers on Edgehill, and even offered weekly “Pritchard’s Picks” book recommendations through video to students when library access was limited during the pandemic. For nearly a decade she has worked to bridge resources to our Middle and High School students, customize book talks, and collaborate with faculty to teach research skills.
“A school library should support all areas of its students’ education and work to make connections with every school department in the way that suits each discipline best,” she said. “A school library must remain, in some fashion, a place that makes the serendipitous discovery possible: a place that celebrates the pleasures of reading, learning, and exploring for their own sakes.”
As Interim Library Director, she will lead a team of four and manage a collection of nearly 30,000 books, numerous digital resources, and the PDS/USN Archive.
Pritchard earned a Bachelor of Arts in music from Wesleyan University and a Master of Library Science from Simmons College in Boston as well as holds a teaching certificate through Simmons' School Library Teacher Program
Director Amani Reed expressed his appreciation to Pritchard for generously accepting this role and to Head of High School Quinton P. Walker for leading the search process.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies
The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.Read More -
USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success
For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.Read More -
Middle School Quiz Bowl competes at national championship
The Middle School Quiz Bowl finished off another successful season with a trip to the Middle School National Championship Tournament in Chicago. The team fought hard and ended the season as a top-100 program in the country, finishing 75th overall. Congratulations to the team on a great performance and to Lucas Lupu ’31, named an All Star for being the fifth-highest scorer nationwide.Read More
Contact
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
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
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.
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.