Foundation Stories

Celebrate the power of stories, choice, and community at Library Lets Loose!

written by Melissa Stan, JCLF Donor Relations Coordinator

Every September, something magical happens at the Johnson County Library. The energy buzzes with celebration. We turn up the music, bring out the tastiest bites and beverages, and let loose — all in support of the Library.

This year, as we mark the 10th anniversary of Library Lets Loose, we’re embracing the theme “Freedom to Read.” It’s a perfect time to reflect on what that freedom means — and why it matters more than ever.

Why This Theme?

According to Lisa Larson-Bunnell, one of this year’s event co-chairs:

“What better theme for our times? Freedom to Read is a celebration of intellectual freedom. It’s an acknowledgement that our ability to access information and literary works of our choosing is a fundamental value in our country that is worth fighting to protect.”

That powerful realization inspired the entire celebration — not just as a party, but as a statement of values. Because when you support the Library, you support the idea that access to books, ideas, and information is not just a service — it’s a right.

What Is Intellectual Freedom, Really?

Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to seek and receive information from all points of view — without restriction. It protects your ability to explore ideas, form your own opinions, and engage with diverse perspectives, even (and especially) when they challenge your assumptions.

From a Library article in 2024: “When access to ideas is limited, so is freedom. Johnson County Library upholds the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read, Freedom to View, and Library Bill of Rights policies. These statements affirm our belief that people should be trusted to make their own choices.”

That belief is central to the Library’s mission. It’s why our shelves are filled with stories from all walks of life, and why your privacy, autonomy, and curiosity are honored every time you check out a book, ask a question, or attend a program.

Freedom You Can Feel

Whether you’re diving into a bestselling thriller, helping a child find their first favorite book, exploring history, or learning a new skill — the freedom to read empowers every moment of discovery.

Libraries don’t tell you what to think — we believe in your right to think for yourself. And we believe that stories, in all their forms, connect us, challenge us, and help us grow.

So… What’s Library Lets Loose Got to Do With It?

When you attend, sponsor, or donate to Library Lets Loose, you’re not just enjoying a fun night out (although there will be drinks, dancing, and delightful desserts). You’re directly supporting programs and services that uphold the freedom to read and learn.

Your support helps:

• Keep books and materials accessible to all.
• Fund programs that promote literacy, digital skills, and lifelong learning.
• Ensure our collections reflect and serve the wonderfully diverse community of Johnson County.
• Protect open access to ideas in a rapidly changing world.

It’s one unforgettable night with a lasting impact.

Join the Celebration

Saturday, September 20, 2025
6:30–10 p.m.
Central Resource Library

We hope to see you there — in your dancing shoes, dressed in red, white, and blue. Come celebrate your freedom to read, explore, question, and grow. Let’s toast to stories, community, and the joy of letting loose for a great cause.

Can’t attend? Make a gift to support the Library.

Please join us in welcoming our new summer intern, Isabelle Karpin. Born and raised in Johnson County, Isabelle has been a dedicated patron to the Johnson County Library system her entire life. It was when she came of age to serve on the teen editorial board for The Johnson County Library’s teen literary arts magazine elementia that her years of service took off. During her high school years, Isabelle contributed to elementia issues XVI-XIX as both a writer and an editor. This summer, Isabelle hopes to gain experience in communications by contributing to the Foundation’s blog, social media pages, and other publications celebrating your impact.

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Greetings Johnson County Public Library donors and patrons,

My name is Isabelle Karpin, and I am the new summer intern with the Johnson County Library Foundation. I spend my academic year studying English at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where I will enter upon my senior year this fall. I was born and raised in Johnson County and attended the Barstow School where I graduated in 2022.

Interning with the Johnson County Public Library brings back the exhilarating times I spent in service to the library as a teenager. Throughout my high school years, I served on the teen editorial board of the Johnson County Library’s own elementia magazine. I was fortunate to also have been included in several issues of the publication as a writer. My memories of reading at the issue release reception remain some of the happiest and most enriching moments of my teenage years. In fact, every moment of making elementia was an enriching experience in-itself. 

I remember vividly one meeting very early on in my time with elementia led by youth librarian Cassidy Coles. Having placed a copy of the American Heritage Dictionary in front of each teen member, Cassidy began an engaging discussion on words and comprehension. She chose the word “prehensile” to illustrate the utility of the edition. It means  “able to seize, grasp, or hold, especially by wrapping around an object,” i.e. “a monkey’s prehensile tail. The entry was paired with an image of an opossum hanging upside down as well as an example in context, the phrase having “a prehensile mind.” Cassidy gifted each of us a copy of her favorite dictionary, a tool not only for comprehension but for exploration.

My copy of the American Heritage Dictionary is an example of a tool, a guidebook I carried with me as I graduated from elementia into my years of literary study. Interning with the Johnson County Library Foundation will add to the many tools I’ve reaped from the Johnson County Library’s programs.

Many thanks to the Johnson County Library Foundation’s generous donors who have made my wonderful experiences with the library possible. I look forward to giving back to those who have uplifted me this summer at the Johnson County Public Library. 

When Megan Nicolas first brought her twin boys to the Johnson County Library, they were just toddlers exploring the world one board book at a time.

“Over the years, our boys have grown up with the Library at every stage of their childhood. When they were babies and toddlers, we checked out the 6 by 6 Books to Go kits and spent mornings reading at the Library. Now, they have grown into middle-schoolers who love the Library, have their own library card, and are independent library users.”

That journey—from storytimes to confident, self-directed readers—is exactly what the Johnson County Library Summer Reading Program is all about. Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, thousands of children and teens across the county are building their own stories of growth, confidence, and joy through books and experiences.

Summer Reading 2025 Has Officially Launched!

This summer, families across the county can stop by any Johnson County Library branch to pick up a free book, a reading log, and bookmark—and begin a season filled with stories, discovery, and community connection.

“Our goal is to help kids step right into summer with a book in their hand and the opportunity to attend enriching activities that combine learning and fun,” said Melanie Fuemmeler, the Library’s Program Operations Manager. “It’s also about building community with local peers.”

That spirit of joy and connection will be on full display at the Summer Reading Launch Party on Saturday, June 7, at the Central Resource Library. From 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., families can enjoy jazz storytelling, face painting, sidewalk chalk, family line dancing, and more—all free and open to the public. As part of the celebration, award-winning author Kiese Laymon will speak from 3:00–4:30 p.m., sharing insights from his acclaimed works, answering questions, and signing books—complimentary copies will be available while supplies last.

Mark your calendars for even more summer fun:

• The Queer Ink Author Symposium on June 14, in partnership with KC Book Beat, celebrating LGBTQIA+ voices
• Community Storytimes throughout June, including June 21 at the Merriam Farmers Market
• An End-of-Summer Celebration at Lenexa City Market on July 31 featuring Mr. Stinky Feet, music, movies, and more!

See the full calendar of Summer Reading events here.

A Look Back: Donor Impact on Summer Reading in 2024

Before we turn the page to a new summer of reading, we want to celebrate all you helped make possible last year:

• 7,565 books distributed to students in 62 schools
• 5,735 books shared through 13 community partners
• Over 20,000 books given out at branches
• 50+ summer programs
• 4,432 visitors to the Black & Veatch Makerspace
• 75 teen volunteers contributed over 900 hours of service

These numbers reflect more than just participation—they represent meaningful moments where children and teens discovered the joy of reading, created something new, or simply felt seen and welcomed at their Library.

The Difference You Make

Melanie Fuemmeler explains the ripple effect of your support:

“Johnson County Library also aims to build in-home libraries through the in-branch and outreach book distribution. Having plenty of books at home and within arm’s reach naturally promotes an increase in daily reading habits. Just 20 minutes of reading a day can provide exponential gains for a child’s exposure to language, the long-term amount of time engaged in text, and as a result, a greater understanding of the world around them, leading to increased test scores.”

This is the heart of Summer Reading: not just preventing learning loss, but empowering kids to see themselves as readers, thinkers, and creators.

Thanks to our wonderful supporters, the Library is once again reaching families across Johnson County with free books, enriching programs, and welcoming spaces to learn and grow. Whether you give, attend an event, or simply tell a friend, you are part of a movement that makes reading joyful and accessible for all.

If you’d like to support Johnson County Library, become a Donor today.