Statements
Mission
The Williamson County Library Foundation's mission is to enhance the library's programs and services through fundraising, advocacy, and building relationships within the community.
Background
The Library Foundation has existed since 1948 to support the work of the library, by providing private funds to enhance the library's programs beyond what public funding is able to supply. In recent years, the main support has been in the children's departments. The Foundation funds the summer reading program each year, which has thousands of children and youth participants each year at the main library and at all five branches. In addition, the Foundation funds other children's programs throughout the year.
Impact
Accomplishments:
1. Support of Summer Reading Programs
2. Completed mural painting in children's departments at all six branches.
3. Sponsored the annual art event showcasing fourth grade art from all elementary schools in the county. After the event, art is displayed in the local library branch for a year!
4. Completed our first Strategic Plan
Needs
1. Raise funds to support the programs of the Williamson Country Library Foundation (Summer Reading Program,
Winter Reading Program, etc.).
2. Increase community awareness of the breadth of the library's resources
3. Provide for needs determined by the library, specifically children's and youth
4. Engage in community partnerships that support literacy
Board Chair Statement
The Library Foundation exists to provide private funding for services and programs not available through public funds. One challenge we face is that some people might think the government should provide all the funding, but there aren't always enough tax dollars to go around. Others might consider a library not as relevant as in the past, but today's libraries are becoming places for meetings, programs, and collaboration, not just warehouses for books. The county recently had a facilities study done showing needs for the library system's next 10 years, and this will provide a roadmap for the Foundation's future projects and areas to support.
The Summer Reading Program and then later, the Winter Reading Program are the primary programs funded by the foundation. These programs meet the critical need of promoting reading during time when students are not in school to help maintain reading levels and encourage reading for enjoyment.
Our libraries provide so much more than books and literacy! The murals in the children's departments (funded by the foundation) may be the first real exposure to art that makes a lasting impact on children. Likewise live performances further provide children with exposure to cultural enrichment. Libraries offer the entire community with a free space to engage with education, culture, and the community in a variety of ways from learning to build Lego cities to discovering family roots through genealogy tools and support found at the library.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Education - Libraries |
| Secondary Category: | Public & Societal Benefit - Fund Raising & Fund Distribution |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
The main library is in Franklin, TN, and there are five other branches also supported by the Foundation: Bethesda, College Grove, Fairview, Leiper's Fork, and Nolensville.
| TN - Williamson |
