News & Events

Major funding for our summertime Brain Camp program series comes from the generous support of a number of local funders. 

Thanks to major funding from Duke Energy Foundation, along with the P&G Fund and the Summertime Kids (both of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation), the Maxwell Weaver Foundation, and the Library Foundation, students can get ready for the next school year at the Library’s Brain Camp program series. During Brain Camp, students will enjoy books, group lessons, computer activities, outdoor play, and crafts centered on a weekly theme. Brain Camp programs will take place in the Main Library’s Homework Central Department and selected branches from June 3 to August 9.

The Library's 40th annual Summer Reading Program, which takes place from June 1-July 31, is funded (in part) through the generous support of Kroger, Newman's Own Foundation, PNC, Costco Wholesale, Wing Eyecare, and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.

The theme for the Library's 2014 Summer Reading Program is Power Up...Read!

The Library's 40th annual Summer Reading Program, which takes place from June 1-July 31, is funded (in part) through the generous support of Kroger, Newman's Own Foundation, PNC, Costco Wholesale, Wing Eyecare, and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.

The theme for the Library's 2014 Summer Reading Program is Power Up...Read!

The Library Foundation recently received a a $10,000 grant from the Sutphin Family Foundation to purchase AfterSchool Edge computers. An Edge computer is a self-contained digital learning system featuring over 50 top-rated software titles that appeal to and support the learning needs of youth ages 6-14. The content covers math, science, music, art, history, geography, reading, writing, and more.

The Library Foundation recently received a a $10,000 grant from the Sutphin Family Foundation to purchase AfterSchool Edge computers. An Edge computer is a self-contained digital learning system featuring over 50 top-rated software titles that appeal to and support the learning needs of youth ages 6-14. The content covers math, science, music, art, history, geography, reading, writing, and more.

The Library Foundation is dedicated to ensuring a great library system by raising, managing and allocating funds to expand and enhance the programs and services of our library. Learn more about some of the ways that Foundation fundraising makes a difference.

The Library Foundation is dedicated to ensuring a great library system by raising, managing and allocating funds to expand and enhance the programs and services of our library. Here are some of the ways that Foundation fundraising makes a difference:

• Our Annual Fund is our largest yearly fundraising effort. The Fall campaign relies heavily on the support from our library staff and our individual donors. This fund drive grows each year and 
staff support doubled last year.
• The Permanent Endowment has grown to over $2.4 million, largely because of two $1 million gifts: one from past Library Board Trustee, Joseph S. Stern, Jr., and the other being The Eva Jane Romaine Coombe gift naming the Library Executive Directors position. All other funds have been given through the Annual Fund drive and revenue generated from the Endowment investments.
• A Torch Society was established for our community of planned givers. Gifts given through estate planning are a great way to leave a lasting legacy. Classic examples are testamentary bequests and life insurance policies. The Foundation unveiled a new charitable gift annuity program that allows donors to support the Foundation while gaining a tax deduction, receiving income from the annuity, and experiencing the joy of giving in their lifetime.
• Honor with Books offers a distinctive way to acknowledge someone who has made a difference in your life while supporting the Library. Whether it is in memoriam or a birthday tribute, anniversary, or other special day, these donations enable the Library to buy books that will enrich the lives of all Library customers. In return, the Library will send an acknowledgment of your gift to the family or individual of your choice and a personalized bookplate will be attached to the purchased materials.
• The Pet Memorial Fund, which honors and remembers loved ones or memorializes the loss of a beloved friend’s pet, provides another opportunity to support the library. Donations of $25 or more are used to purchase material about pets, pet care, or children’s books. Each item is specially marked with a gift plate inscribed with the name of the pet and the donor.
• Befriend a Branch provides donors the opportunity to give a gift for one of our 41 branches. Yearly, each branch receives funds collected from their loyal customers to purchase supplies their branch needs to support their own community mission.
• Periodic special events, such as hosting noted author luncheons, supporting a branch through engraved brick sales, and our Night at the Ball Park are all one-time opportunities to raise additional funds for the Foundation.
• Grant writing has emerged as a new avenue for gaining funds for specific programs. Brain Camps, Afterschool Edge computer systems, and other programs were made possible with very generous corporate and private foundation grants.

The Library Foundation recently received a grant of $5,000 from the Maxwell C. Weaver Foundation at US Bank for 2013 Summer Brain Camps. These education programs for children grades 1-8 take place weekly during the summer at selected Library locations. Each week a different theme invites kids to have fun learning about various topics by making crafts, playing games, and participating in presentations.

The Library Foundation recently received a grant of $5,000 from the Maxwell C. Weaver Foundation at US Bank for 2013 Summer Brain Camps. These education programs for children grades 1-8 take place weekly during the summer at selected Library locations. Each week a different theme invites kids to have fun learning about various topics by making crafts, playing games, and participating in presentations.

On April 6, the Foundation hosted a fundraising luncheon with best-selling author author Alexander McCall Smith. Read more...

Thirty lucky individuals dined with bestselling Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith April 6 at Nicholson’s restaurant before he charmed a crowd of a few hundred fans at the Main Library downtown. During the luncheon, McCall Smith chatted with all the guests and signed their copies of his latest book The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds. The lunch crowd also had front row seats for his talk at the Library. Members of the audience described it as “a wonderful visit” and “an enchanted afternoon.” Funds raised by the Library Foundation help strengthen collections, expand programs, and enhance services.