The Johnson County Library recognized four Triple Crown Champion volunteers at the July 21 Library Board Meeting and thanked them for their volunteer leadership and support of the library. Each of the four has served on the three boards associated with the Johnson County Library: the Library Board, the Friends of the Library Board and the Johnson County Library Foundation Board. Pictured here from left are: Board of County Commissioners Chairman Annabeth Surbaugh, County Librarian Donna Lauffer, and honorees Joan Berkley, Mission Hills; Ellen Miller, Lenexa; Jim Lutz, Overland Park; and Warren Robinson, Fairway.

The nationally-recognized Johnson County Library wouldn’t be where it is today without its volunteers – and it doesn’t forget its friends. Volunteers made possible the vote to establish a library in1952, and the role of volunteers in achieving its success continues from there.

To date, just four individuals have volunteered on all three boards associated with the Johnson County Library, and the Library Board will honor them at the Library Board meeting at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 21, at the Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th Street.

Joan Berkley, Mission Hills; Jim Lutz, Overland Park; Ellen Miller, Lenexa; and Warren Robinson, Fairway, are the only volunteers to have served on all three boards – Johnson County Library, Friends of the Johnson County Library, and Johnson County Library Foundation. Their service ranges from 1968 to the present. Jim Lutz is currently a Library Board member.

In a resolution recognizing the four, the Library Board thanked them for “giving selflessly of their time, energy, and prowess to further the effectiveness of the Johnson County Library in its community.”

County Librarian Donna Lauffer said, “Similar to a Lifetime Achievement Award, we wanted to recognize these individuals for their extraordinary service. Volunteer work takes many forms, but serving on a board requires more engagement and dedication because the person must assume responsibility and accept accountability for the success of the organization. To have served on all three boards is truly remarkable, a huge gift of self, and the library is richer for these individuals’ commitment.”

All four members exhibited leadership in their work on the Johnson County boards, and all four have served as President of the Friends of the Johnson County Library. Two went even further in supporting libraries in general.

To strengthen libraries state-wide, Warren Robinson was a co-founder of the Friends of Kansas Libraries (FOKL) in 1982, and in 1999, Ellen Miller was the co-founder of the Kansas Library Trustees Association (KLTA), now a subdivision of the Kansas Library Association. Robinson also served on the board of the Northeast Kansas Library System.

Robinson and Miller also co-chaired the volunteer Committee for Better Library Service that worked for the public vote in 1992 to fund the Central Resource Library facility.

Each of the three boards has a different role in supporting the Johnson County Library. The Library Board, established in 1952 with the founding of the library, is an independent governing board appointed by the County Commission. The Friends of the Library, established in 1956, is dedicated to advocacy of the Johnson County Library and library issues in general. The Johnson County Library Foundation, established in 1996, is charged with building an endowment for the Library's collection and securing funding for life-long learning programs at the library.

The Johnson County Library Foundation is seeking public nominations for the 2010 Pinnacle Awards. The Pinnacle Award was launched in 2002 by the Johnson County Library Foundation to recognize excellence in the arts. The award is presented annually to a significant artist or arts supporter whose work has influenced the cultural well-being of the community. Beginning in 2008, the Foundation expanded the Pinnacle Award to include three additional categories, which highlight a program or special area of emphasis at the Johnson County Library. The additional awards will recognize Excellence in: Advocacy and Public Engagement; Business and Entrepreneurship; and Literacy and Education. Honorees must demonstrate excellence in their professional field or philanthropic pursuits.

Nominations may be submitted by the public via the Foundation’s Web site: www.jocolibraryfoundation.org/pinnacleawards. Deadline for nominations is Friday, June 18, 2010. Foundation staff is available to assist nominators in completing the online nomination form. For assistance, please call us at (913) 495-7579.

Category descriptions for the 2010 Pinnacle Awards are:

Excellence in the Arts
Presented to an individual whose work as either a visual or performance artist or writer has had a significant influence on the cultural well-being of our community. Excellence in Advocacy and Public Engagement Presented to a recognized leader who has made substantial philanthropic or public contributions to our community's improvement and development.

Excellence in Business and Entrepreneurship
Presented to a business person who has demonstrated innovation, an exceptional entrepreneurial talent and spirit, and contributed dynamic growth and economic well-being to our community.

Excellence in Literacy and Education
Presented to an individual who has demonstrated a sustained commitment, either professionally or as a volunteer, to serving the causes of literacy or life-long learning in our community.

Pinnacle Award winners will be honored at the 2010 Pinnacle Award Recognition Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010; 7 p.m., at the Regnier Center, Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, Kan. Winners will be presented with a commemorative item, and have the opportunity to make brief remarks about their passions and successes. The dinner will be preceded by a reception beginning at 6 p.m. For information on Pinnacle event tickets and sponsorships, contact us at (913) 495-7579 or via e-mail.

Past Pinnacle Award Honorees are: Doug Tally, Shawnee Mission School District; Myra J. Christopher, Center for Practical Bioethics; Phillip Spencer, Codero; Gaylon Umbarger, Literacy Kansas City; David Hughes, Jr., founder of the Charlotte Street Foundation; John Burgess, founder and CEO of Interactive Media Holdings, LLC; Vivien L. Jennings, founder and president of Rainy Day Books, Inc., Dr. Robert W. Fry, active volunteer for the YMCA of Greater Kansas City and other local, national and international charitable efforts, Joe McGuff, sportswriter and former editor of the Kansas City Star; James Hamil, watercolor artist; and Charles W. Gusewelle, author and Kansas City Star columnist, Gary R. Holcombe, actor and founding member of the KC Actors Theater, Cynthia Levin, Producing Artistic Director of the Unicorn Theatre and Leon Brady, Kansas City Youth Jazz.

All nominations will be considered by the Pinnacle Award committee, appointed by the Johnson County Library Foundation.

For further information contact the Johnson County Library Foundation at (913) 495-7579 or via e-mail.

The Johnson County Library Foundation’s new Give a Gift, Give a Book program offers library-lovers the opportunity to honor friends and family while supporting the Library’s collection in today’s difficult economy. The public is invited to participate by donating funds for books or audio visual materials honoring family members, friends, hard-to-buy-for relatives, favorite teachers or someone special any time of the year (birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, special events).

For as little as $25, a new book, regular or large print, audio CD or DVD will be purchased and added to the Johnson County Library’s materials collection. In addition to selecting the format of the gift, donors can select a focus or subject area (such as fiction, biography, business) or age group (youth, teen, adult).

Foundation donors Mel and Lore Mallin decided to Give a Gift, Give a Book in honor of the famous audio book narrator George Guidall. Their gift provided 14 new audio books for the Library’s collection.

Mel Mallin commented, “There are so many charitable opportunities available in our community. This gift offered a tangible way to make a direct impact on the community. As a charitable investment, I think this gift offers immediate returns.”

According to Library Foundation Executive Director, the program is a personal way to pay special tribute to someone and help the Library. “Oftentimes people want to recognize a friend or loved one on a special occasion such as a birthday, graduation, retirement, or as a thank you, but may not know what type of gift to purchase,” Zerger noted. “Give a Gift, Give a Book honors those in your life with a wonderful gift that keeps on giving because it can be read over and over again by many people in the community.”

County Librarian Donna Lauffer agreed. “Give a Gift, Give a Book offers library patrons a great way to honor friends and family, while strengthening the Library’s collection during these difficult economic times.”

The Johnson County Library Foundation will provide a certificate celebrating your gift and the honoree's name as a memento. For more information, visit the Foundation Web site www.jocolibraryfoundation.org, or call (913) 495-7579.

Give a Gift, Give a Book was created by the Johnson County Library Foundation as part of its mission to enrich the Library’s collection and secure support for life-long learning programs offered at Johnson County Library. The organization, established in 1996, supports collection enrichment, youth homework assistance, art programs, early literacy initiatives, youth-at-risk programs and technology enhancement.

The New Year is almost here! Don’t miss your opportunity to give to the Johnson County Library Foundation in 2009. Online gifts must be received by Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009 and gifts sent by mail must be postmarked Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009.  Give online to the Library Foundation via our online partners, the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.

Are you looking for a gift for that hard-to-buy-for relative? Do you need a special way to honor a best friend’s birthday or pay tribute to a favorite teacher? How about something distinctive to recognize your Employee of the Month, or Volunteer of the Year? Are you looking for a unique gift that will make someone sit up and smile? Here’s your chance to give someone all that and more. Donate a book in their honor to the Johnson County Library and give a gift that truly will keep on giving. For as little as $25, you can add a new book, audio CD or DVD to the Library’s collection. In addition to selecting the format of your gift, you can select a focus, such as subject area (e.g. fiction, biography, business) or age group. Our librarians, who know the needs of our collection, will select a fitting title within your preferred areas. A special bookplate featuring the honoree’s name will be inserted into the book, CD or DVD. We'll also send you a special certificate celebrating your gift and the honoree's name as a memento.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2009 Pinnacle Awards! Many thanks to all attendees, sponsors and donors for making the recognition dinner an enjoyable evening!

The Sprint Foundation has generously awarded the Johnson County Library Foundation a $10,000 grant supporting the Library’s Homework Help Coaches program. This is Sprint Foundation’s fifth grant, totaling $105,000 since 2005, in support of the Library’s homework assistance program.  Homework Help Coaches assist area students with their academic assignments utilizing library resources at three locations, the Antioch and Oak Park neighborhood libraries, and the Central Resource Library. The Homework Help Coaches program continues to advance the Johnson County Library Foundation's mission of supporting life-long learning and the Sprint Foundation's mission of supporting K-12 education. 

Johnson County Library’s Homework Help Coaches have a proven record of success. While serving over a thousand students per year, 98% of participating students say they complete all or some of their homework, and 80% say they learn about library services and programs they plan to use in the future. Students, parents and educators can learn more about the Library’s Homework Help Coaches program by visiting www.jocolibrary.org/homework.

Since its establishment in 1989, the Sprint Foundation has provided more than $105 million to community organizations across the country. Through direct grants and a robust matching gifts program for employees and retirees, the Foundation creatively and thoughtfully delivers Sprint's commitment to championing its communities.

The Johnson County Library Foundation's mission is to build an endowment for the Library's collection and secure support for life-long learning programs offered at Johnson County Library. The organization, established in 1996, supports collection enrichment, youth homework assistance, art programs, early literacy initiatives, youth-at-risk programs and technology enhancement. The Foundation is widely known for its signature fundraising event, the Pinnacle Awards, held each fall, which recognizes community leaders in the arts, entrepreneurship, literacy and public engagement. The IRS recognizes the Foundation as a 501(c)3 organization and a 509(a)1 public charity, making all charitable gifts to the foundation 100% tax deductible. For more information, contact the Foundation office at (913) 495-7579 or visit www.jocolibraryfoundation.org.

Pinnacle Awards Recognition Dinner
Pinnacle Award winners will be recognized at the 2009 Pinnacle Award Recognition Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 29; 7 p.m. at the Regnier Center, Johnson County Community College.

All proceeds from sponsorships and ticket sales will support the mission of the Johnson County Library Foundation, building an endowment for the Library’s collection and supporting for life-long learning programs. 

Sponsorship & Ticket Levels

Pinnacle Sponsors: $3,000
Includes eight premium seats, special lighted signage at event venue, awards presentation participation, recognition in public award announcements (newspapers, partner newsletters, online, and Library publications), and acknowledgement in all printed materials.

Dinner Sponsors: $1,000
Includes eight seats, recognition in public award announcements (newspapers, partner newsletters, online, and Library publications), and acknowledgement in all printed materials.

Table Sponsors: $500
Includes eight seats and acknowledgement in all printed materials.

Ticket Four-Pack: $290
Individual Ticket: $75

For more reservations and information, contact Scott Zerger at (913) 495-7579 or via e-mail.

Photo: Foundation board members Caroline McKnight, Doris Royals, Patricia Sanders-Hall and executive director, Scott Zerger, along with jazz band A Touch of Class, enjoying A Jazzy Afternoon.

Foundation board member, Patricia Sanders-Hall, and her husband, Steven W. Hall, hosted friends and colleagues at their home on Saturday, July 25, 2009 raising over $2,000 for Library programs. Guests were entertained with live jazz performed by A Touch of Class. Patricia provided her culinary expertise, offering a delicious selection of hors d’oeuvres and deserts. Guests generously gave financial gifts to the Foundation in honor of the classy occasion. The Foundation thanks Patricia, Steven, and everyone attending A Jazzy Afternoon for their generous support.

The Johnson County Library Foundation's mission is to build an endowment for the Library's collection and secure support for life-long learning programs offered at Johnson County Library. The organization, established in 1998, supports collection enrichment, youth homework assistance, art programs, early literacy initiatives, youth-at-risk programs and technology enhancement. The Foundation is widely known for its signature fundraising event, the Pinnacle Awards, held each fall, which recognizes community leaders in the arts, entrepreneurship, literacy and public engagement. The IRS recognizes the Foundation as a 501(c)3 organization and a 509(a)1 public charity, making all charitable gifts to the foundation 100% tax deductible. For more information, contact the Foundation office at (913) 495-7579 or visit www.jocolibraryfoundation.org.

This year's Pinnacle Award Winners are:

Excellence in the Arts: Doug Talley, Shawnee Mission School District
Excellence in Advocacy & Public Engagement:  Myra J. Christopher, Center for Practical Bioethics
Excellence in Business & Entrepreneurship:  Phillip Spencer, Aplus.Net Internet Services
Excellence in Literacy & Education: Gaylon Umbarger, Literacy Kansas City

Pinnacle Award winners will be recognized at the 2009 Pinnacle Award Recognition Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009; 7 p.m. at the Regnier Center, Johnson County Community College. For more information, contact Scott Zerger.

With a $25,000 grant from the Johnson County Library Foundation, the Johnson County Library will convert part of its extensive print literary criticism collection to a Web-based format. This grant represents the Foundation’s first Collection Enrichment Project, an annual effort to provide additional depth and breadth to the Library’s collection of materials and databases.

The Kansas Health Foundation has awarded a $25,000 recognition grant to the Johnson County Library Foundation to fund the Johnson County Library’s new 6 By 6, Ready to Read: Six Skills by Six Years early childhood literacy program. The program will inform parents and caregivers of preschool-aged children about early literacy research and how they can help prepare children to be ready to read.

The Kansas Health Foundation has awarded a $25,000 Recognition Grant to the Johnson County Library Foundation to fund the Library’s soon to be announced 6 By 6 Ready to Read: Six Skills by Six Years early childhood literacy program. The grant will provide vital funding for the new program which will inform parents and caregivers of preschool-aged children about early literacy research and how they can help prepare children to be ready to read.

The 6 by 6 Ready to Read will have an emphasis on serving low-income families with special skill-cards. Skill-card kits will feature early literacy activities and the artwork of Brad Sneed, a locally-based children's illustrator. The 6 By 6 Ready to Read program will position the Johnson County Library as an important early literacy resource available to the community free of charge.

The Wichita-based Kansas Health Foundation works to improve the health of all Kansans by focusing in the areas of children’s health, leadership, public health and policy. It was founded in 1985 and has approximately $540 million in assets. The Kansas Health Foundation grants approximately $26 million each year to non-profit organizations, educational institutions, public school districts and state agencies.

The Johnson County Library Foundation's mission is to build an endowment for the Library's collection and secure support for life-long learning programs offered at Johnson County Library. The organization, established in 1998, supports collection enrichment, youth homework assistance, art programs, early literacy initiatives, youth-at-risk programs and technology enhancement. The Foundation is widely known for its signature fundraising event, the Pinnacle Awards, held each fall, which recognizes community leaders in the arts, entrepreneurship, literacy and public engagement. The IRS recognizes the Foundation as a 501(c)3 organization and a 509(a)1 public charity, making all charitable gifts to the foundation 100% tax deductible. For more information, contact the Foundation office at (913) 495-7579 or visit jocolibraryfoundation.org.

Court Assisted Reading Encouragement (CARE), a partnership between Johnson County Library Foundation and Johnson County District Courts, has received a generous $2,000 grant from the Johnson County Bar Foundation. The program, founded by Judge Kathleen L. Sloan and youth librarians at Johnson County Library, offers at-risk children and youth the opportunity to select and keep a free age-appropriate book from courtroom libraries. Judge Sloan handles many of the hundreds of Child in Need of Care (CINC) cases filed annually in the Johnson County District Court system. The program has now grown to include Judge Michael Farley’s courtroom, as well. These children and youth include truants from school, victims of abuse, neglect, or abandonment and juvenile offenders.  With the help of Kathy McLellan, youth outreach librarian, a list of 66 children’s books for ages infant to teen was compiled to begin the CARE program. The list has expanded to include many more titles. After completing the official proceedings of their court appearance, the judge offers the child the opportunity to select a book to keep. While a courtroom can be an intimidating environment for children, the opportunity to select a book offers a positive close to their courtroom experience. This program offers a special opportunity to children and families in the Johnson County District Courts system at a critical time in their lives.

The Library Foundation thanks the Johnson County Bar Foundation for its generous support!

Photo: Charles J. Andres, Bar Foundation Treasurer; Scott Zerger, Library Foundation Executive Director; Kathy McLellan, Youth Outreach Librarian; Judge Kathleen L. Sloan, Johnson County District Courts.

You can now join the Johnson County Library Foundation cause on Facebook. More details...

The Johnson County Library Foundation is seeking public nominations for the 2009 Pinnacle Awards. The Pinnacle Award was launched in 2002 by the Johnson County Library Foundation to recognize excellence in the arts. The award is presented annually to a significant artist or arts supporter whose work has influenced the cultural well-being of the community. Beginning in 2008, the Foundation expanded the Pinnacle Award to include three additional categories, which highlight a program or special area of emphasis at the Johnson County Library. The additional awards will recognize Excellence in: Advocacy and Public Engagement; Business and Entrepreneurship; and Literacy and Education. Honorees must demonstrate excellence in their professional field or philanthropic pursuits.

The Johnson County Library Foundation is seeking public nominations for the 2009 Pinnacle Awards. Nominations may be submitted online until Friday, June 19, 2009. Visit the Pinnacle Awards Web page for details.

Follow @jclf for updates on Foundation events.

Like all organizations and individuals with stock market investments, our endowment has experienced losses in 2008. Fortunately, our Board of Directors is committed to a long-term investment strategy, which makes short-term volatility less troubling. Supporting the Foundation’s endowment is a investment in the Johnson County Library’s future. Gifts to the endowment enrich the depth and breadth of the Library’s collection.

Endowment Balance: $963,896.02 (12/31/08; updated quarterly)

The Johnson County Library Foundation has awarded four outstanding individuals as winners of the annual 2008 Pinnacle Awards: David Hughes, Jr., John Burgess, Vivien L. Jennings and Dr. Robert W. Fry.

The Pinnacle Award was launched in 2002 by the Johnson County Library Foundation to recognize Excellence in the Arts. This year, the Foundation expanded the Pinnacle Award to include three additional categories, which highlight a program or special area of emphasis at the Johnson County Library. The additional award categories include Excellence in: Advocacy and Public Engagement; Entrepreneurship; and Literacy and Education.