On May 17 – 23 you will not be able to pay fees or place holds.  

Foundation News

We share with you new and innovative ways to give to the library and we shine the spotlight on donors’ contributions. Plus, discover the difference your gift makes and read news from The Library Foundation Board of Trustees and the Wilder Society.

Recent Foundation News Blog Posts

dogbenchWebFeature

A Tribute to the R.E.A.D. Dogs Program

A delightful bronze bench – featuring a little girl and a dog so cute they beckon kids to sit and enjoy a good book with them – was unveiled at Wednesday, April 18 in the Kids Library. Eight famous (at least around the library) Reading Education Assistance Dogs, including Waverly, the Labrador-mix who was the model [...]

Join the Buy a Book Club - Donate to The Library Foundation

Your Invitation to the Buy a Book Club

JOIN THE BUY A BOOK CLUB We need more books than the library can afford to buy. Joining our Buy a Book Club replenishes our bookshelves and promotes self-directed learning in your community. Donate now. Your membership makes a difference where it’s needed most. By believing in the value of a great public library, your [...]

We Enlighten You

Committed to lifelong learning, the library offers free opportunities to continue your education with our help or on your own. One customer recently observed, “I learn something new every day because of the library.” Jillian Underwood, library customer, had her first encounter with a computer at the library. She was 7 years old. “I thought [...]

We Grow With You

From borrowing books to attending programs with their children, families remember their positive experiences at the library. Melissa Powell remembers getting her library card at 8 years old. “We used to go to the library a lot when we were little. I remember my mom taking us to get our library card,” said Melissa. “I [...]

We Provide an Enduring Value to the Community

These days people need the library more than ever. According to the 2010 United States Census there are 177, 934 people who live in Shawnee County. Of those, 94,579 have library cards. Every day we see more than 3,000 children and adults use and enjoy the library after school or after work hours. “I recently [...]

We Pay Attention

Our stewardship is based on close attention to your priorities. The library and The Library Foundation react swiftly to emerging trends and economic challenges. A top priority for the library is to have activities for people of all ages. One example is the Edge, which is dedicated to teens where they can play video games, [...]

John Mendoza

Former Trustee Talks About His Vision of the Library

As a child, John Mendoza remembers looking at the variety of books offered in the bookmobile parked outside Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. To this day the bookmobile still can be found outside the church. Onsite services make it very convenient for parents and children to check out books. Years later, Mendoza joined the board [...]

Former Trustee Reflects on Success, Looks to the Future

Walking inside the library does not have the feeling it used to. Tiptoeing customers have been replaced with children playing games, teens surfing the web, families attending educational programs and adults browsing the numerous library books that cater to a variety of interests. It has been 140 years since the Topeka and Shawnee County got [...]

FOUNDATION_TSCPL_HORIZ_300U [Converted]

Your Place – A Letter to Donors and Library Supporters

“Gorgeous facilities, up-to-date technology, wonderful staff!”–Joe Jarvis, library user   Your Gift Can Make a Difference to a Child’s Success A whole generation of youngsters is falling behind in reading. Could your child or grandchild be one of these kids? It may surprise you to hear that more than two-thirds of the nation’s fourth-graders are [...]

New Foundation Officers and Board Member Begin Terms

The Library Foundation has announced its officers for 2011. They include Steve Page, chair, J. Patrick Brazil, vice chair, and Jeff Wietharn, treasurer. Michelle Cuevas-Stubblefield was elected to a second three-year term. Marianna Nothern , Jeanne Slusher, and Roger L. Underwood were elected to their first three-year terms. Marianna Nothern is a retired school teacher [...]