Books help us discover new worlds. For many, a library serves as a gateway to countless fantastic adventures. But it can provide much more than a place to escape. The St. Louis Public Library (SLPL) offers learning resources and information services that benefit the entire community. It’s able to carry out its mission thanks to the St. Louis Public Library Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the library’s programs and services through advocacy and fundraising.

“The foundation performs a world of work for us,” says SLPL executive director Waller McGuire. “It does so much for our cause, including purchasing books, providing funding and resources for various programs, sponsoring exhibits and more.” One new program the library has partnered with the foundation to launch is Born to Read. Aimed at children 8 and under, it helps parents understand the importance of early literacy. “It has a big impact on children’s lives, and it begins earlier than we realized in the past,” McGuire says. Born to Read provides literacy kits for parents at local clinics when they bring their children in for a 3-month check-up. The kit includes an early reading book, toy, ideas for how parents can interact with their children to develop their minds, and materials for parents about resources the library offers. It comes in a small, insulated bag that can be reused for baby supplies.

The foundation assists with several other initiatives as well. It provides tutors for the Homework Helpers program and sponsors summer camps at various library branches. The camps, which have expanded this year, are designed to be both fun and educational, covering topics like music, technology, theater and film. “They were such a huge success, we hope to expand the program,” McGuire says. “We had almost 2,000 children this past summer, and we’d like to see even more participate and learn next year.” The nonprofit’s efforts reach more than the younger crowd; it sponsors numerous exhibits at Central Library that adults can enjoy, too. Earlier this year, SLPL commemorated the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War I with an exhibit that included the St. Louis Symphony performing music from the era. Currently on display until Nov. 4 is ‘We Are Shakespeare,’ an interactive exhibit that brings the works of the Bard to life. McGuire stresses that such exhibits are all thanks to the foundation. “These special programs are beyond what the library can do with its budget, but the foundation works with us to make them possible,” he says.

The St. Louis Public Library Foundation will host a fundraiser, Stranger Than Fiction: When Words Collide, Nov. 18 at Central Library. The event celebrates the golden era of science fiction with themed food and cocktails, music and other activities. Guests also will have the opportunity to win two tickets to Comic Con 2018 in San Diego or be featured in a Lion Forge comic. McGuire says people shouldn’t expect it to be a typical fundraiser. Just as they do at the library, they should prepare to discover something new.

Pictured: SLPL executive director Waller McGuire
Photo: Tim Parker Photography

The St. Louis Public Library Foundation is dedicated to supporting the library’s programs and services through fundraising and advocacy. Its literary-themed fundraiser, Stranger Than Fiction: When Words Collide, will be held Nov. 18 at the Central Library. Pictured on the cover: Event chairs Thomas Wall, Erica and Bryan Willert, Megan Wall. For more information, call 314.539.0359 or visit slpl.org. 

Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography