Impact
Partner Spotlight
The Memphis Library Foundation partnered with Creative Aging Mid-South to present the Senior Studio program, which provides a plethora of engaging activities for seniors to enjoy. This endeavor was made possible through generous grant funding from ArtsMemphis and the Tennessee Arts Commission.
Libraries Inside/Out
Thanks to the ingenuity of the Memphis Library Foundation’s first executive director, Diane Jalfon, and generous funding from the Kresge Foundation, the Libraries Inside/Out project provided exterior improvements to the Cornelia Crenshaw Library in South Memphis and the Randolph Library in Highland Heights.
From preschoolers to seniors and everyone in between, the library is a hub of access for each and every Memphian. Here’s a glimpse into what we have been up to lately:
DiscoverREAD |
Hands-on play spaces to help children build early literacy skills |
TEEN INNOVATION CENTERS |
Unique spaces to spark creativity and fuel future success in STEAM |
JobLINC |
Find meaningful employment and training opportunities |
SUMMER PROGRAMMING |
901Voices, sponsored by the Plough Foundation, collects oral histories, reminiscences, and family stories from Memphians in order to enhance the Library’s Memphis and Shelby County Room’s local history collections |
TECHIE SENIORS |
Technology instruction and online safety tips for older adults |
ART & CULTURE |
Free events, including concerts, films, art exhibitions and more |
HEALTH INFORMATION CENTERS |
Books, materials and programs for wellness |
CLOUD901 |
$2 million high-tech teen learning lab |
DAN DAVIS PERSONAL FINANCE CENTER |
Dan Davis Personal Learn about smart financial decisions |
EXPLORE MEMPHIS |
Free summer programming to keep kids engaged and learning |
SMALL BUSINESS CENTER |
Valuable resources for current and future entrepreneurs |
LINC211 |
Dial 2-1-1 to reach the community information and referral resources |
Interested in helping us achieve even more? Visit our Donation Center to learn how you can make a difference.
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Introducing a new dawn for Memphis Library Foundation
Since 1994, the Memphis Library Foundation has avidly supported free programs and resources available at all Memphis Public Libraries branches. During this time, we’ve seen a shift in the way libraries serve communities. What used to be a place to sift through stacks of books is now a hub where people can learn, connect, create and be inspired.
Libraries are continually evolving toward the future, and that’s why we’re evolving too! We’re excited to share a new look for our brand that touches on our mission to support and enhance every branch of the Memphis Public Libraries system through innovation and community.
About our new look
Our new logo is a nod to the original building blocks of libraries – books – that have inspired us and sparked creative, forward-thinking ways to encourage people to visit their local library. The open book also pays homage to our city’s iconic M-shaped bridge, while the yellow pages evoke a sun that illuminates the world around us, just like the library does.
Our tagline “Imagine More.” sheds light on the endless possibilities offered at our libraries. When you visit your local library, you can file your taxes, view an art exhibit, explore your ancestry, take a cooking class – there’s no limit! We encourage you to explore something new at your local branch.
As experiences change at our libraries, it’s up to us to ensure visitors remain engaged, informed, and inspired through a wide variety of resources and programming. This is just the beginning!
We’d like to give a shout out to Baby Grand who developed our new look that is uniquely aligned with who we are and what we hope to accomplish now and in the future.
“Evicted” Exhibition
A look at the innovation behind Memphis Public Libraries
My Cup of Tea, Black Clergy Collaborative and Memphis Library Foundation receive $25,000 Gannett grants
Memphis teens get crash course in diversity
How Memphis Created the Nation’s Most Innovative Public Library
Statement Regarding Donation from Plains All American Pipeline
Feb. 22, 2021
In December 2020, Memphis Library Foundation received a $5,000 unrestricted donation from Plains All American Pipeline. We accepted this gift hastily and without the due diligence needed to determine if the organization’s goals align with our goals. The Foundation is committed to serving the people of Memphis, particularly those in neighborhoods that have been historically underserved and overlooked. We do not believe our mission is in alignment with the work of Plains All American Pipeline. Therefore, we have returned the donation in full.
Christine M. Weinreich, JD
Executive Director
Memphis Library Foundation
Live at 9: MLGW’s J.T. Young, Explore Memphis & adding play to the school curriculum
Community Foundation grants $210,041 to local nonprofits