Foundation Stories

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.

With the Executive Order to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), libraries across the United States are preparing to make budget updates.

Johnson County Library is one among many library systems now looking toward their 2026 budget and planning to make adjustments. At Johnson County Library, the IMLS funding goes directly to purchasing more physical books.

No matter the changes on the horizon, Johnson County Library remains committed to serving patrons and providing access to information – in person and online.

Watch the full news story from KCTV on the situation.

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

written by Shelley R. O’Brien

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is the link between the federal government and your local public library. They are responsible for distributing federal money to state libraries and administering grant funding. Last Friday (March 14^th) the White House issued an Executive Order to eliminate “to the maximum extent of the law” IMLS and 6 other federal agencies. In 2024, IMLS distributed over $266.7 million to libraries and museums across the country with an estimated $2.1 million coming to Kansas public libraries.

This will impact all Kansas public libraries, but the impact on rural libraries could be significant. 

If federal funding is shut off to the State Library of Kansas, the over 300 libraries across the state will be financially impacted starting in 2026. The Johnson County Library, while in a better position than most, could see a significant decrease to our $165,810 distribution for this year. This funding goes directly to the purchasing of physical books for our 14 libraries. More rural libraries across the state are heavily dependent on their state funding, for some constituting the majority of their budgets.

Additionally, the State Library of Kansas is already fighting for its budget in Topeka including their 29 staff members who serve Kansas residents and researchers for legislators. Their annual budget is $7.3 million, which includes the $2.1 million coming from the federal government.

Since 1855, the State Library of Kansas has provided library and information services to the executive and legislative branches of state government and to deliver 21st-century library services and resources to all Kansas residents.

More updates to come on this developing situation. This is the time to remind everyone that you use public libraries – in person or online – this cut will impact you and your community. The Johnson County Library Foundation will start additional fundraising efforts to make up for this shortfall. More to come!

Need a last-minute gift? Make something customized at the Johnson County Library Makerspace! Check out this video for a quick tour and a few ideas about what you can create.

written by Shelley O’Brien, Executive Director of the Johnson County Library Foundation

I must be getting more sentimental as I age, because I felt all the feelings from reading the Johnson County Library’s 2023 annual report, that was just published.

First, the document is colorful and very attractive, thanks to the Johnson County Library Communications team. They knocked it out of the park with this document. Not your typical boring document. Additionally, I’m so proud of everything we accomplished in 2023.

Here are a couple of highlights:

• The Library went fine free, allowing for great access to information.
• A record number of new library cards were distributed, with over 259,000 people having active library cards – almost 1/3^rd of Johnson County.
• Digital materials collection exploded with the use of Libby and other online resources.
• More people attended Library Lets Loose than ever before with a record 625 participants.

What may be less obvious, but more important, is that the Johnson County Library improves the quality of life here in our community. In fact, the Library is the highest-rated county public service with an 87.9 approval rating (page 19). Which is amazing, especially considering we live in a world where it sometimes feels like we agree on nothing. Maybe this is because the Library has something for everyone to enjoy, while bringing people together.

Take a moment and enjoy the 2023 Johnson County Library’s Annual Report. I think you too will be proud of the Library and feel joy for our community.

written by Shelley O’Brien, Executive Director of the Johnson County Library Foundation

2023 was a year of change for the Johnson County Library Foundation. In January, Executive Director Stephanie Stollsteimer retired after five years working with the Library and the Foundation. She led the organization to new heights, and we are so grateful for her leadership.

In March, I started as the new Executive Director. As a consultant with the Northeast Kansas Library System, I had worked with the Johnson County team previously on their strategic road map, and I knew this was a great opportunity. Every day, I am grateful to work for Johnson County Library. It is truly an honor.

April 2023 brought lots of activities, including the volunteer appreciation luncheon, honoring over 800 volunteers who keep the Johnson County Library and Friends of Johnson County Library running. We appreciate all of your hard work and dedication.

Additionally, the 1952 Society event was in April with award-winning audiobook narrator Edoardo Ballerini. He was interviewed by Deputy County Librarian Kinsley Riggs. The afternoon was endlessly fascinating with Edo’s stories. A huge thank you to Caroline McKnight for coordinating this event.

As more legislation was passed in other states that prohibited some books in libraries, the more we learned about the right to read from Johnson County Library’s own Lacie Griffin. She gave many presentations this spring and summer locally and regionally explaining the importance of intellectual freedom. It truly is the basis of our democracy and our libraries.

The end of the summer means planning for Library Lets Loose in September. It was our best attendance ever with over 600 guests. It was such a fun evening and a great way to celebrate our library system. A BIG thank you to Black & Veatch for being the Library Lets Loose Presenting Sponsor and Julie Steiner and Stann Tate for co-chairing the event.

In October, the Writer’s Conference took place at the Central Resource Library. We want to thank the Berkley Family for sponsoring the conference in memory of the late Joan Berkley, another Johnson County Library lover and advocate.

Here at the end of the year we want to thank Foundation President Leigh Anne Neal for all of her hard work. It has been a true pleasure to work with Leigh Anne. Additionally, Vickie Trott, Ava Christie, and Ben Struby are leaving the board in 2023. We thank all three of you for your dedication and service. You have made a big difference in our library system.

We are not to the end of the year yet for final impact numbers, but I want to thank everyone who donated to the Johnson County Library Foundation this year. It means a lot to me. We are on track to give another $225,000 to the library this year from our donors and grantors. In addition, we extend gratitude to wonderful people like the late Marjorie Sams, who contributed estate gifts to the library foundation endowment. This year, we are adding over $80,000 to the library endowment fund.

Shelley’s Book Recommendations

At the end of every year, I make book recommendations for my family and friends.
(Once a librarian, always a librarian.)

For 2023, I loved the non-fiction book “The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old-Man” by David von Drehle. Dr. Charlie White was a fascinating member of the Prairie Village and Kansas City community. Though until this book few knew his name. Von Drehle shares Charlie’s life lessons and a life of resilience.

A fiction book that I loved this year was “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin. Two friends grow up to become video game co-creators. From the outside, it looks like the perfect life; your game becoming internationally popular and then comes wealth and fame. But the reality is that life is complex for the two friends and reaching your professional goals may not solve all of your problems.

At the end of 2023, I wish for you and the world more peace and prosperity. Thank you for continuing to support the Johnson County Library and the library foundation. We appreciate everyone who is a part of our community.

It would be an understatement to say that the Library’s MakerSpace had humble origins.

Its original home was not much bigger than a closet, said Shelley O’Brien, executive director of the Johnson County Library Foundation. But now the area at the Central Resource Library serves almost as a branch within a branch — offering state-of-the-art capabilities like 3D printing and providing space where creators of all types mingle.

The upgraded surroundings have “really amplified the program and amplified what we can do,” O’Brien said, putting the Library on the cutting edge of the experiential learning that will define the library of the future. “This is not a trend,” she said. “This is not going away.”

And none of that would be possible without the more than $30,000 a year that Overland Park-based Black & Veatch provides as the sponsor of the MakerSpace. The global design and engineering firm’s commitment to the Library extends to serving this year as the presenting sponsor of the Johnson County Library Foundation’s annual fundraiser, Library Lets Loose.

As an international corporation, Black & Veatch has no shortage of potential causes to back, O’Brien said, “and for them to say they want to invest their philanthropic dollars into a local nonprofit like the foundation and a local organization like the Library means a lot to us.”

Outside support is critical to providing a range of services to patrons, and O’Brien said Black & Veatch’s financial commitments play a significant role in allowing the Library “to have innovation and creativity and to provide the community with these great tools.”

There is perhaps no better spokesman for Black & Veatch and its commitment to the Library than Pete Barth, an Illinois native who moved here from Davenport, Iowa, in 2014 with his wife. He is the company’s engineering partnerships leader and serves on the board of the Library foundation.

Barth is also the son of a teacher who preached the value of reading and is an active patron of Olathe’s Indian Creek Library as the father of three kids ages 8 and under.

Barth was not exactly a bookworm as a teen, but it seems his mom’s prodding planted a seed for adulthood because reading is now a welcome stress relief. “It’s a good way for me to escape and displace,” he said.

The parent in him loves that libraries now have playgrounds and cool indoor activities that excite kids to just be at the library as a first step to gaining a love of reading. He knows that is the case with his children.

In his professional role, Barth welcomes the opportunity for the company to support a free public resource that provides equitable access to all members of the community. Black & Veatch is also happy to help students cultivate an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

“I think it’s fair to say that the library is an integral part of every community,” he said. “We are just glad to be a part of it and help to support the growth of both the MakerSpace and the library infrastructure in Johnson County in general.

“We are proud of our community, we want to be a part of the community, want to be visible in the community, and want to give back to all those communities that support our professionals and our business.”

Library Lets Loose provides essential funding for the extras the Library offers, O’Brien said, including the varied programming that keeps people coming back to the branches. Barth said Black & Veatch’s role as the presenting sponsor is a way to help “amplify the event and the importance of the library system in general.”