Lifelong Learning Fund
Public libraries are vital community centers that serve the needs of patrons all along the age spectrum.
Libraries are a primary source of information on topics like finding a new career, starting a business, personal finances, travel, health and wellness, hobbies, home repairs, consumer information, volunteerism, or any other multitude of topics.
Most public libraries want to offer programs to meet this ever increasing demand, but they need access to additional resources and services to be truly effective.
Examples of programs that may be supported through this fund include:
- An ongoing series of programs such as community forums on social issues or author visits, or programs on cultural and generational differences. The goal of these sorts of programs is to encourage building community by bringing residents together around topics of common interest.
- Library staff training in the “Bridges Out of Poverty” program and facilitation training for library staff to lead community building discussions about the issue of multigenerational poverty.
- Library programs to teach public classes on computers and related technology skills.
- A series of small studies to gather information about user needs to develop more responsive services.
- Entrepreneur and small business development workshops to be created and offered in libraries systemwide. This would strengthen community capacity to address urgent issues of economic development.
- A systemwide movie license so libraries can show movies for groups without violating copyright law.
- Better support for book groups by providing training and resources.
If you and your family would like to make a major gift to support or endow a Lifelong Learning Fund program, please contact Phyllis Davis, South Central Library System Director, 608 246-7975.
Back to Public Library Enhancement Funds.