By Melissa Stan
What does it take to build a stronger community?
At Johnson County Library, it begins with people having access to a place where they can learn, connect, and grow. Every day, individuals walk through the Library’s doors looking for something different. Some are searching for information or resources. Others are hoping to meet new people or find a sense of belonging. Many discover both.
The Library creates opportunities for connection in ways that are both simple and meaningful. Students find support and develop confidence in their learning. Adults explore new ideas, gain new skills, and engage more deeply with the world around them. These experiences help people grow not only as individuals, but also as active and engaged members of the community.
For volunteer Chris Sadun, these moments are easy to recognize.
“The wonderful thing about being a Library volunteer is that I get to witness and be part of special moments every week,” she says.
Chris has spent years volunteering at Johnson County Library, helping welcome families and support Storytime. From her perspective, what happens in those rooms goes far beyond what most people expect.
“We think of Storytime as children’s programming,” she explains, “but in reality it is community programming.”
She sees caregivers forming connections, children learning and gaining confidence, and families returning week after week because they feel welcomed and included. These moments may seem small, but together they create a stronger, more connected community.
That kind of impact is made possible by people who choose to give back.
Volunteers create the welcoming, human connections that make the Library feel accessible and personal. Donors help expand what the Library can offer by supporting programs, resources, and experiences that respond to the evolving needs of the community. Both forms of generosity are essential, and together they help the Library continue to grow alongside the people it serves.
“I love getting to be an active part of keeping our Library, and ultimately, our entire community, strong,” Chris says.
This spring, we are reminded that the Library’s impact is something we build together.
A little time. A little generosity. A lot of good.
You have the opportunity to be part of that impact.
Will you make a gift today to help expand access to learning and connection across our community?
Will you volunteer your time and help create welcoming experiences for others?
Or will you choose to do both?
Every act of generosity helps ensure the Library continues to be a place where people can connect, grow, and belong.