Wichita Public Library Foundation

Summer reading = beach reads, lake reads, and sofa naps. Tell us what page-turners are keeping you entertained this season!

We are hiring! Are you interested in making a difference in your community? Learn more about our open Development Associate position.

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Did you know your Wichita Public Library offers a free movie subscription service called Kanopy? If you have a library card, you have access to thousands of narrative and documentary films. During black history month, expand your knowledge! https://www.kanopy.com/en/wichitalibrary/signup/auth/publiclibrary?destination=%2Fcategory%2F40898

Everyone wants to know when the Wichita Public Library's Westlink Branch remodel will be finished. Here are some photos of work that's happening inside. The library will open in 13-15 months. Remember, there are six other branches you can explore in the meantime! ❤️mylibrary

We look forward to Kourtney Carson starting on Monday. The future of the Wichita Public Library Foundation is bright!

Carson named as public library's foundation president and CEO - Wichita Business Journal Carson spent the last 9 years as the Wichita Art Museum's director of development.

Every Thursday in February from 12:30-1:30 p.m. come to the Wichita Public Library downtown and be part of the 'Celebrating Wichita's Black History' series.

Celebrating Wichita's Black History: Black Educators Since the beginning of our country’s history, Black educators have performed a vital service in shaping the minds of the future. In this program, Janice Burd...

We love Mychal Threets' videos encouraging people of all ages to get a library card and use their library! https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/video/meet-librarian-viral-spreading-library-joy-106702386?fbclid=IwAR1vKy2WysZPzy9Q8GgmK0WlfCXcuAYIHDgokjzhuD60r4wM8gyNsSQSe_c

Video Meet the librarian who has gone viral spreading 'library joy' "The Book Case" podcast hosts Kate and Charlie Gibson chat with Mychal Threets about his journey and receiving an American Library Association’s "I Love My Librarian" award.

Make plans to attend these lectures in February.

This February, we're celebrating Wichita's Black history with a series dedicated to the trailblazers and events that shaped built Wichita. Join us Thursdays, February 1-29, 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Advanced Learning Library. More information is available at wichitalibrary.org/events.

Is the Wichita Public Library missing something you’re looking for? Tell us!

We want your feedback! Help us improve our collection by completing our annual Collection Survey: https://bit.ly/4aGqFug

Are you looking for books to finish out category 11? Here are a couple ideas!

ReadICT 2023: Books about a Secret or Closed Society In this video, we present books that might fit category 11 in 2023's ReadICT reading challenge: a book about a secret or closed society. For more recommendat...

It's time to vote! (take two)

LINK: https://forms.gle/7mJESXQL8NhWQzq68

Help us pick one library card design from the adult, kid and teen categories. The top card will be available for customers to get in early 2024. We will announce winners in January!

NOTE: There will be three new cards to choose from (one from each age category). Customers will be able to select whichever card they would like to get. Current customers can swap out their current library card with a new design for $2.

Supporting the Wichita Public Library Foundation on Giving Tuesday is like investing in the heartbeat of our community. Your donation helps create opportunities for everyone, from kids diving into their first books to adults learning new skills.

It’s about making sure that knowledge and discovery aren’t limited by financial barriers. By chipping in, you're directly boosting the resources and programs that make our library a vibrant, inclusive space for learning and growth. Your support paves the way for countless moments of discovery within our community, ensuring that the Wichita Public Library remains a cornerstone of learning and possibility for everyone who walks through its doors.

Make your gift today at supportwichitalibraries.org

We are so proud to be a part of this. Many thanks to the Kansas Health Foundation and the Wichita Public Library for making this possible. Did you know you can get a Library Card, check out books and use the Wi-Fi at the Book Bus!

The Book Bus is hitting the road! Here are the scheduled stops for November and December:

📚 Tuesday, November 28: 10 a.m.-Noon at Dr. Glen Dey Park, 3-5 p.m. at Opportunity Drive Boys and Girls Club
📚 Wednesday, November 29: 10 a.m.-Noon at The Treehouse, 3-5 p.m. at Fairmount Park
📚 Thursday, November 30: 3-5 p.m. at McAdams Park
📚 Tuesday, December 5: 10 a.m.-Noon at Planeview Park, 3-5 p.m. at Boston Park
📚 Wednesday, December 6: 10 a.m.-Noon at Great Plains Nature Center
📚 Thursday, December 7: 3-5 p.m. at Harrison Park
📚 Tuesday, December 12: 10 a.m.-Noon at Orchard Park, 3-5 p.m. at Pawnee Prairie Park
📚 Wednesday, December 13: 10 a.m.-Noon at West Douglas Park
📚 Thursday, December 14: 3-5 p.m. at Towne West Mall
📚 Tuesday, December 19: 10 a.m.-Noon at Chapin Park, 3-5 p.m. at Watson Park
📚 Wednesday, December 20: 10 a.m.-Noon at Linwood Park
📚 Tuesday, December 26: 10 a.m.-Noon at Dr. Glen Dey Park, 3-5 p.m. at Opportunity Drive Boys and Girls Club
📚 Wednesday, December 27: 10 a.m.-Noon at The Treehouse, 3-5 p.m. at Fairmount Park
📚 Thursday, December 28: 3-5 p.m. at McAdams Park

Why is supporting the Wichita Public Library so important?
Children reading below grade level by the end of the third grade are four times less likely to graduate high school. They are six times less likely to graduate if they are from a historically low-income neighborhood. Your gift can help change the trajectory of kids who need our help the most. Go to supportwichitalibraries.org to make a difference for children today.

November 12, 2023

Dear Friends,

After 25 years in the nonprofit world, I am retiring. What a wonderful ride it has been. I feel lucky to have worked in the fantastic field of fundraising.

What I have loved the most are the people and pets I’ve been able to help over my varied career and the wonderful relationships I’ve developed.

My last five years at the Wichita Public Library Foundation have been extremely fulfilling. I have loved working with library staff, the Library board, and especially the WPLF board of directors and staff. How kind you have all been.

Thank you to every donor who said “yes” to helping build a stronger Wichita for everyone!

Thank you to my mentors, advice-givers, detractors (sometimes your best teachers -- as painful as that is), cheerleaders, all the people who were just generally nice to me, and those who always had my back no matter what and helped me through the tough times.

I will miss all of you as I look forward to my next stage in life.

The WPLF board is hard at work, searching for a new CEO and President of the Foundation. Hopefully, they will secure a new leader soon.

Please spread the word that we are looking for an enthusiastic, hard-working person who loves the Library and is dedicated to helping people reach their full potential.

My last day at WPLF will be November 17.

With heartfelt gratitude and love,

Kristi Oberg

The Foundation wants to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to all of you for your unwavering support in advancing children's literacy. Your dedication to this cause means the world to us, and it's incredible to see how together, we're making a difference one book, program, and child at a time.

Together with the Wichita Public Library we're igniting the love for reading in young minds, opening doors to endless possibilities. Let's continue to write the story of a brighter future for our children through literacy!

Today, was a great day for your Wichita Public Library -- its beautiful, new book bus is hitting the streets with Family Literacy Coord. Racine Zacula at the helm. This bus was made possible by a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation and generous Wichita Public Library Foundation donors. The bus will pop up in areas of Wichita without direct access to a library, bring small book bundles each month to in-home caregivers, and take library services to special events around town.

I love this story.

A customer recently came to the Alford Branch drive up window to pick up his holds. When staff took his library card, his four-legged best friend poked her head out of the window and wagged her tail to say hello. When staff returned with his materials, they also had a treat for his pup. He said the library was their favorite part of their Saturday morning routine.

Have you been wondering what’s been happening with Westlink? Here’s a big update!

Come to the only party in town that wants to sell you books by the bagful 📚📚📚 -- the Friends of the Wichita Public Library Used Book Sale this SATURDAY. This sale supports your Wichita Public Library!

This year's event is in conjunction with the FREE at Exploration Place -- right across the street.

Need a Wi-Fi hotspot? Your Wichita Public Library has one you can check out with just a library card thanks to the Wichita Public Library Foundation

Plan to attend this FREE event -- Maker Faire Wichita -- from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Wichita Public Library and Exploration Place! So many great things to do including the Friends of the Wichita Public Library book sale!

Maker Faire Wichita is Saturday, August 26! Here's the map created by our friends at Exploration Place. There will be so much food, fun and creativity at this FREE event for all ages. AND BONUS! The Friends of the Wichita Public Library will have a book sale that day!

We are proud to continue to carry out the wishes of Olive Ann Beech and award scholarships each year to deserving Wichita Public Library staff so they can continue their education. What will your legacy be?

Our Wichita Public Library Foundation donors make great events happen at the Wichita Public Library. Make plans to attend the Local Author Event on Saturday.

Donors made this summer's fun events at seven Wichita Public Library branches possible. Learn how you can give to the Wichita Public Library Foundation at www.supportwichitalibraries.org!

We love supporting programs at your Wichita Public Library! You can catch more of Mr. Stinky Feet TODAY (July 24) at the Advanced Learning Library at 10:30 a.m. or TODAY (July 24) at the Alford Branch Library at 2:30 p.m. Learn more at www.supportwichitalibraries.org.

When you shop at Dillons, you can buy wonderful food AND support the Wichita Public Library by going to this website: https://www.dillons.com/i/community/community-rewards and choosing the Wichita Public Library Foundation as your charity of choice.

I knew chocolate was good for you!

Like our Foundation, the Friends of the Wichita Public Library works hard to raise money to give back to the Wichita Public Library. The Friends are looking for new board members -- maybe it's you!