Foundation Stories

Be sure to join our Honorary Hosts, Rick and Denise Mills, Saturday, September 18, for an evening of fun and entertainment at our signature event Library Lets Loose!

Library lovers everywhere will enjoy this festive, FREE, family-friendly event.  Better yet, register now! And in the meantime, here’s a look at some of the fun from last year’s event.

Your Sponsorship supports life-long learning resources and programs for patrons of all ages including:

• Library collection enrichment
• Youth homework assistance online
• Art and community engagement programs
• Early literacy initiatives
• Summer Reading
• Youth-at-risk programs
• Teen literary programs
• Local writers’ workshops
• Incarcerated services books and services
• Race Project KC
• Online programming for education and entertainment
• STEM education through the Black & Veatch MakerSpace

The driving force behind the creation of the Johnson County Library Foundation was County Librarian Mona Carmack. In the early ‘90’s, Mona began speaking about a JCL Foundation that would be devoted to raising donated funds for the Library collection and its programs.  This was a new concept for the Library at that time and in 1994, planning for the Foundation began and in 1996, the Foundation was established as a separate nonprofit organization.

As a separate nonprofit, the Foundation needed the governance of a board of directors and distinguished community volunteers rose to the occasion. “The founding Board had a lot of heavy hitters,” said founding board president, Neil Shortlidge.   “Names that come to mind are Fred Logan, former Congresswoman Jan Meyers, former County Commissioners such as Bill Franklin and David Wysong, several mayors and a number of former Library Board members. “

Foundation founding board member Fred Logan has remained a strong donor and supporter over the years with wife, Carol.  “I believed that people would be very supportive of a foundation that was devoted to supporting the Library,” said Logan.  “Time has proven that to be the case.”

Caroline McKnight also served as a founding board member and continues to this day as a volunteer. She explains that the Foundation is relevant today because all strong and thriving institutions deserve to have a way for those who see their value support them financially. “Yes, of course, we all pay a pittance in taxes that accrue to build and maintain a wonderful library system, “ said Caroline. “But there are those who choose to offer more support, and a charitable arm makes that possible.”

We all know what 2020 was like and the Library kept going strong!  We had to rethink how to deliver services and materials during the pandemic and our donors kept rolling with the changes.   Online resources were as popular as ever and the Library buildings closed and re-opened with safe access books, materials, and computers.

Your support and charitable gifts were, and are, as important as ever as we adjusted and united. Highlights from 2020 included a pre-pandemic event: “A Conversation with Kevin Willmott and Steve Kraske,” a fundraiser to benefit Race Project KC.

Shortly after that, our gatherings went virtual and we celebrated the 1952 Society, the Foundation’s planned givers, and the Readers Circle, the donors who are the Library’s most loyal and generous donors.  We took to ZOOM with special guest Dr. Schuyler Jones, a renowned explorer and retired Oxford professor. 

Library Lets Loose- Virtual edition brought more brave Library lovers to a new adventure in events with 44 sponsors rallying with their support and more than 500 viewers joined in the fun online.

Throughout the summer and through the Black Lives Matter movement, Race Project KC came into the spotlight with donors making a point of supporting this program dedicated to social justice.

As the year wrapped up, our annual year-end donors came out in force and reminded the Library how much it is valued in the community.  Every dollar donated to the Library benefits our community through lifelong learning resources.

We are delighted and deeply grateful for your unwavering support.

Donors, Friends, and volunteers gathered virtually for a special appreciation event with author and cowboy storyteller, Jim Hoy, on Sunday, January 17.

Jim and his family are native to the Flint Hills of northeast Butler County Kansas.  His recently released book, My Flint Hills is his eighteenth book.  He taught literature and folklore at Emporia State University for 45 years in addition to a range of other endeavors and awards he’s received. 

Guests enjoyed his recollections of this home in the Flint Hills.   He has made a study of them—their tough terrain and quiet beauty, their distinctive folklife and cattle culture—and marshaled his observations to bring the Flint Hills home to readers in a singular way. My Flint Hills features essays describing Hoy’s Flint Hills, combining family lore and anecdotes of ranching life with reflections on the region’s rich history and nature. 

The appreciation event was organized by the Development Department that includes the Johnson County Library Foundation, Friends of the Johnson County Library, and Johnson County Library Volunteers.  Donors, Friends, and Volunteers contribute their time, talent, and financial support to further strengthen the Library’s lifelong learning resources.

View the recording of the author’s talk here.  My Flint Hills, and all of Jim’s books, are available at the Library. For more information on Jim and/or to purchase your own copy of his book, click here.

This year has been filled with challenges and the Library continues to rise to meet them. Online resources have expanded to meet patrons’ interests and the buildings are open with safe access to books, materials and computers.

Your financial support is more important than ever to meet the needs of our community. Every dollar donated to the Library benefits all Johnson Countians through lifelong learning resources.

Learn about a few of the programs and resources your charitable contribution supports.

Johnson County Library Foundation President Vickie Trott summed up one craving in 2020 as she addressed attendees at this year’s annual Library gala: “In these unusual times,” Trott said, “we need to let loose however we can until we can let loose in person again.”

And that’s exactly what happened Sept. 12, with the “virtual” Library Lets Loose celebration and fund-raiser. Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, this year’s event could not be held in-person and pivoted to online. Using the On24 platform, the Foundation hosted an event that still featured fun activities, capped off by a virtual dance club where people were encouraged to get their groove on from the comfort of their own homes.

“I am truly amazed at the ingenuity and willingness of so many people to look at the possibility to keep our Library Lets Loose event an ongoing tradition,” Trott told participants.

Honorary co-chairs Cindy Wallis-Lage and Kent Lage greeted people from their home. “Even in this time where we are sheltered in place a lot and we don’t get to go out to the places that we like to go, the Library is still there as a great resource,” Wallis-Lage said. “We hope you have a fantastic night and really remember how much the Library means to all of us.”  

In past years, the gala has attracted 44 sponsors and about 500 participants. This year, the event still garnered 44 sponsors and more than 500 attendees.  Feedback was very positive. The event was free to register but many people and companies still made generous donations. “As a Foundation, we are grateful for the brave Library Lovers who were willing to try an online fundraising event,” said Foundation Executive Director Stephanie Stollsteimer. “We are thrilled with the outpouring of financial support as well.”

The event, moderated by DJ Stann Tate, began with a reception and music by local acoustic guitarist and singer/songwriter Sean McNown. Andrew Olsen, beverage director with the J. Rieger and Co., demonstrated how to mix the “Library Lets Loose” cocktail. Participants could choose from a variety of experiences including a behind-the-scenes introduction to Library staff, activities for kids, and Trivia games. Some people had trouble finding the breakout rooms at first but tech support was quickly available.

The MakerSpace staff demonstrated the fascinating process of creating a wood block relief print, using an industrial roller and design by artist Shawn Sanem. The celebrity reader room featured local notables reading from favorite books; former Chiefs Hall of Fame offensive lineman Will Shields read from Nelson Mandela’s “Long Walk to Freedom.” “We love Libraries and believe every child should learn to read and have access to books,” Shields’ wife Senia said.

Author Candice Millard shared how, when she was about 10 years old, she got a free book from a small town Library, which she has treasured ever since. She chose the book because of its wonderful title: “I know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou. “I had never experienced books that could be incredibly moving, that could take you somewhere you have never seen or imagined and are beautifully written,” she said.

With fundraisers like Library Lets Loose, the Foundation continues to help provide Library resources to open people’s eyes, as Millard’s were, to the power of great books to transform lives.

— Lynn Horsley

In celebration of Library Lets Loose we proudly present another segment of our “celebrity guests” sharing a Library story special to them. We hope you enjoy their stories, and join us online September 12 for more great fun!

Today’s special guest is Candice Millard, writer, reading an excerpt from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou.

In celebration of Library Lets Loose we proudly present the second of our 8-part video series of our “celebrity guests” sharing a Library story special to them. We hope you enjoy their stories, and join us online September 12 for more great fun!

Today’s special guest is Ben Bliss, tenor with The Metropolitan Opera, reading an excerpt from East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

In celebration of Library Lets Loose we proudly present the first of our 8-part video series of our “celebrity guests” sharing a Library story special to them. We hope you enjoy their stories, and join us online September 12 for more great fun!

Today’s special guest is Nate Bukaty, 810 WHB, SportingKC announcer, reading The Sneetches by Dr. Suess.

Since 2016, the Johnson County Library Foundation’s biggest annual event and fundraiser has been “Library Lets Loose,” attracting about 500 people to Central for an evening of games, music, dancing, food and fun. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, it quickly became apparent that such an event couldn’t be held this year. The Foundation briefly considered cancelling, but decided to forge ahead with a virtual event that people can enjoy from home.

“We have found that people want to support the Library and this event is a perfect fit for them,” says Foundation Executive Director Stephanie Stollsteimer. “This year has been so weighted by uncertainty for everyone. If anyone has the capacity to give, we can help them with a way to do that. We want to join everyone to cultivate the community spirit of the Library.”

This year’s event is scheduled for Sept. 12, and planning is well underway. More details will soon be available on the Foundation website.

In the past, participants have bought a $75 ticket. This year’s event will be free, although donations are always welcome and encouraged. Attendees will view a brief presentation, then move to a variety of virtual rooms offering storytelling, trivia, games, musical performances and other entertainment. “We’re hosting interactive activities where people can participate from their home,” Stollsteimer said. “Some of it will be live, some recorded.”

The event also relies on dedicated volunteers. This year the effort is led by honorary hosts Cindy Wallis-Lage and Kent Lage. Stollsteimer praised the hosts, both engineers, for their can-do spirit in the face of the pandemic. In a letter inviting event sponsorships, the hosts urged continued financial support to help sustain Johnson County Library as a vital community resource.

“The current world emergency has highlighted the value of readily available learning resources for our community during a time with so much uncertainty,” they wrote. “As a valued partner in our community, the Library has remained available 24/7 with online resources for education, news, and entertainment.” 

Kent Lage is an urban services manager with Johnson County Public Works. Cindy Wallis-Lage is a top executive with Black & Veatch, which is the lead corporate sponsor of Central’s MakerSpace. Both Black & Veatch and MakerSpace epitomize innovation, creativity and productivity — qualities needed now more than ever.

Cindy Wallis-Lage said that growing up in Topeka, she visited the Library every week and it instilled in her a lifelong love of reading. “That was my place to go, all through high school, it was that sanctuary,” she said. As she and her husband raised three children in Johnson County, libraries were a big part of their lives and learning.

She said continuing the Library Lets Loose event this year is worthwhile, “to show how the Library is very agile,” and an important resource for information about different cultures in our world. “We can continue to support the community, whether it’s walking in in person or doing it virtually,” she said.

Additional sponsors are welcome and can contact Stollsteimer at [email protected].

While COVID-19 poses unique challenges, Stollsteimer knows that the Foundation’s supporters, like the Library they love, are resilient and adaptable, and this year’s event will illustrate that. “We are all finding our way together,” she said. “Libraries and communities need each other, and we’ll persevere.”