Springfield-Greene County Library District
Springfield, Missouri
The Library Center
"Whether I’m picking up a cookbook, home-design book, a new bestseller, or a book for my kids…going through the drive-up window is one my favorite weekly rhythms. It’s so convenient and everyone is so kind. So grateful for all the years of great books and creating community through reading."
— Rebecca R.
"The Library Center has become like a second home to me. It’s where I learned so many lessons, made friends, and was able to see the world in a new way. Through the Library Center I found community."
— Emily G.
Photo by Ben Divin
"Our daughter, who has intellectual disabilities, visits the library every week with her staff. The children's librarians go above and beyond to help her look for whatever topic she is fixated on that day and have even put books on hold that they know she will like."
— Rebecca D.
"I have visited the genealogy department of your library many times over the years and I want to take this opportunity to tell you that every member of your staff has been so very kind and helpful! I have visited many of the largest libraries in the country but your staff always have a smile and a helpful attitude. "
— Pam L.
As a flagship location, The Library Center serves as a hub for major events, local history and genealogy research, and a vast collection of resources. Your gift helps enhance cutting-edge services and major community programs.
About the Library Center
As the flagship branch of the Springfield-Greene County Library District, The Library Center has served as a cornerstone of the community for more than 25 years. With its vast, dynamic collection and spacious, welcoming design, the Library Center is both an essential community gathering space and a hub of learning and discovery. Each year, thousands of patrons and visitors walk through its doors to access technology, attend dynamic public events, explore our Local History & Genealogy Department, or simply find a quiet space to read, study, or relax.
Whether you're a lifelong Springfieldian or a first-time visitor, The Library Center offers a place to connect with ideas, culture, and each other. Now, we're building on this strong foundation to provide even more for future generations.
Supporting The Library Center means investing in world-class resources, high-impact programming, and future-ready services that serve thousands annually. With your help, we can honor the past, enrich the present, and inspire the future—right here in the heart of Springfield.
Hatch Auditorium Capital Campaign
To meet the growing needs of our community, the Library Foundation is proud to support the Hatch Auditorium Capital Campaign—an exciting effort to enhance the Library Center’s role as a destination for public programs, author events, performances, lectures, and more.
The new Hatch Auditorium will transform the Library Center’s capacity to host large-scale events, welcome regional and national speakers, and serve as a vibrant cultural and educational venue for southwest Missouri. With upgraded acoustics, comfortable seating, and state-of-the-art technology, the new space will enrich the visitor experience and help the Library District expand its reach. Out-of-town guests and local residents alike will enjoy memorable experiences in this newly imagined venue, drawing increased attention, tourism, and partnership opportunities to Springfield.
We invite you to be a part of this transformative project. Make your mark by naming a seat in the auditorium or exploring other giving opportunities through our Take a Seat campaign. Your gift supports a lasting legacy at one of the most iconic libraries in the region.
Local History & Genealogy
The Library Center is also home to our Local History & Genealogy Department, where stories from the past come alive. Researchers, students, and genealogists of all backgrounds visit this department to trace family histories, explore archival documents, or study local events that shaped our region.
Your gift to our Preserving Ozarks History Endowment Fund helps preserve important collections, digitize historical records for wider access, and ensure expert staff remain available to assist patrons.
Consider Gift Planning to Support the Library Center
You can create a lasting impact at The Library Center through planned giving. Whether through a bequest, charitable trust, retirement assets, or other estate gifts, your generosity ensures that this beloved community resource continues to thrive for decades to come.
A planned gift allows you to support what matters most—learning, discovery, local history, and access for all—while meeting your own financial and philanthropic goals. Many of our donors choose to direct their planned gifts toward specific branches, departments, or capital campaigns, including The Library Center and the Hatch Auditorium project.
Learn more about planned giving options at our Gift Planning page.
