Loree Quinn knows nonprofits. For the past ten years, she has been in charge of compiling data for the Springfield-Greene County Library District's Directory, an alphabetical listing of nonprofit clubs, agencies and organizations in the metro area.

At about 800-plus listings per issue, updated and printed every two years, Quinn has reviewed, entered, edited and proofed information on approximately 4,000 nonprofits. She's still sane, and remains enthusiastic about this important library project.

"I believe the Directory is a valuable service to the community because, in addition to agencies and institutions, there are entries for support groups and hobby clubs that are difficult to locate," said Quinn, who works in the community relations department.

"For instance, if you are interested in a subject such as flowers or pre-1964 cars, you usually won't find the Cherry Court Garden Club or the Royal Tin Street Rods in a standard directory, but you'll find these clubs in ours."

You'll also find more than 300 support and advocacy groups for various illnesses and diseases, city and county offices, alumni, animal welfare, music, veterans, history and conservation groups, writing, political, professional, art and garden clubs and social groups of all kinds as well as dozens of other entries listed in an alphabetical category listing, from Accountants to Zoos.

Each entry in the popular coil-bound publication, usually about 100 pages or so, includes mail, e-mail and web addresses and phone, fax and toll-free numbers. In addition to the print edition, which can be checked out, purchased or viewed at any of the ten branch libraries, the Directory is also online in a searchable database accessible from thelibrary.org.

Quinn is ready to solicit updates and new organizations for the 2010 edition, to be published in early 2009. She urges you to submit your nonprofit club, agency or organization's information in one of these ways:

• Mail to Community Relations Department, Attn. Community Relations, Springfield-Greene County Library District, P.O. Box 760, Springfield MO 65801
  
• Fax to 417-889-2547, Attn. Community Relations
  
• E-mail loreeq@thelibrary.org, or call 883-5366, extension 220, for more information.