Noelle Drechsel
The late Noelle Drechsel, a Topeka library champion and Wilder Society member, understood the value of the library as a learning institution.
Noelle passed away in October of 2009 at the age of 100, but her memory is alive and well with every success story that comes out of our Oveson-Campbell Homework Center.
During her lifetime, Noelle told library staff “the library has enriched my life with a special joy that I would surely have missed had I not made that strong connection.”
Today, her connection to the library is her legacy, a named fund she established with The Library Foundation to support the services offered in the Oveson-Campbell Homework Center.
“Noelle’s enduring affection for children found expression in many charitable acts of generosity throughout the community,” said Jim McHenry, Foundation executive director. “We are eternally grateful that she included the library in her philanthropic priorities.”
The center serves students in grades K-12. The library’s homework coaches, Tracie Hundley and Leah Anderson, along with the library’s volunteer homework helpers, tutor children with their homework assignments. The service is free and available Monday through Thursday 4-8 pm and Sundays from 2-6 pm.
The center was created in 2002 as a Community Service Project, with the Kansas Department of Commerce. Since its beginning, the center has continually increased its numbers of student contacts every year. The center averages of 250 student contacts a month.
Want to know more? Call 785-580-4565 or stop by the Youth Services desk in the library.
Donations are always welcome to this vitally needed service, which is much appreciated by the families using it. With a donation to The Library Foundation you can support this valued service.