The Library Foundation was established in 1993 to support the Springfield-Greene County Library District’s first major capital campaign, raising over $660,000 to furnish the newly constructed Library Center. The first members of the Library Foundation Board, appointed at its founding, were Tom Peebles (President), Mildred King (Vice President), Terry Henry (Treasurer), Gary Burgess (Secretary), Dr. Bruce Lemmon, Sharon Nahon, Samuel Knox, Nelson Parnell, Ed Payton, and Doug Nickell. These dedicated individuals laid the groundwork for what would become a vital source of private support for the Springfield-Greene County Library District.

Early support from organizations like The Titus Foundation, the Musgrave Foundation, and Friends of the Library helped lay a strong philanthropic foundation and began the important work of building the Library Center, which opened in 1999.

By 2007, recognizing the growing need for sustainable private support, the Foundation expanded its operations, hiring its first part-time Director and increasing fundraising activity. It played a key role in celebrating new library openings and supporting critical needs like programming, facility enhancements, and early literacy initiatives. The Foundation also began developing its internal capacity—adopting policies, upgrading financial systems, growing the board, and launching community engagement efforts.

In 2013, the priority became funding a new mobile library and leading capital campaigns for branch renovations like Schweitzer Brentwood. The Library Foundation continued to evolve to meet the needs of the Library District. Milestone campaigns such as “$10 for 10 Years,” the creation of endowments, and strong community partnerships strengthened our impact.

In recent years, The Library Foundation has led several impactful initiatives to enhance library services and spaces. In 2016, the Foundation completed the ReNew Brentwood Capital Campaign, raising over $2.5 million for the renovation of the Brentwood Branch Library, later renamed the Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library in honor of principal benefactor Jewell Schweitzer. The Laton Endowment, established in 2017 with a generous estate gift from Ursula Marie Laton, has surpassed $500,000, providing a growing source of unrestricted income for the Library. In 2018, a $38,000 gift from attorney David H. Jones enabled the Library to acquire the innovative MagicBox technology, offering an interactive way to explore digital archives and rare materials. And in 2019, a $108,000 grant from the Ball Foundation helped transform the children’s area at The Library Station into a more engaging and educational space. 

With the hiring of new Library District Executive Director Ed Walton, the District prioritized the hiring of a Director of Institutional Advancement. Bridget Dierks joined Library District staff in January 2025. 

Today, the Foundation continues to build on this legacy—raising vital funds, cultivating donor relationships, and helping shape the future of library services in our region.