Programs We Support
The Library Foundation’s mission is to support, enhance, and promote LFPL’s programs and services. The Foundation and LFPL work closely together to determine priorities and how the Foundation’s support can have the most impact on our community.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
The Louisville Free Public Library Master Facilities Plan was created in 2008 to provide the citizens of Louisville with a roadmap to achieve the highest quality library services. The city has made significant progress on the plan, dramatically increasing the available materials and space.
The Library Foundation has played a pivotal role in all of the Master Facilities Plan projects. The Foundation supported capital campaigns for the Southwest Regional Library (opened 2014), the South Central Regional Library (opened 2017) and the Northeast Regional Library, which opened in June 2019.
CHILDREN’S LITERACY FUND
Ensuring community-wide literacy for children of all ages, from birth through teen, is the driving force behind many Louisville Free Public Library programs. School success is only possible when students have proficient reading skills and make the transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”
The Children’s Literacy Fund is a Library Foundation initiative to support key programs offered by LFPL in need of financial support, including the Summer Reading Program, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge, and more. Programs made possible by the Children’s Literacy Fund served nearly 75,000 children last year.
ADULT PROGRAMMING
LFPL offers a range of adult programs supported by the Foundation, including the How-To Festival, Craig Buthod Author Series, and Books & Brews 502.
LIBRARIAN SCHOLARSHIPS
The Library Foundation provides financial assistance to Louisville Free Public Library employees who wish to pursue a master’s degree in library science. The Foundation established the Scholarship Program in 1999 to help educate future LFPL librarians to meet the community’s ongoing need for quality service and information.
Since 1999, the Library Foundation has sponsored 76 LFPL employees in their pursuit of master’s degrees in library science, awarding nearly $865,000 in scholarship funds.
The Librarian Scholarship program is a Foundation endowed fund.