When The Library Doors Opened, We Began To See What Was Possible.

THE CULTURE OF GIVING BEGAN WITH A LIBRARY COLLABORATION

In what was the first major Foundation initiative, New Albany Community Foundation donors helped make the public library in New Albany a reality. In collaboration with the Columbus Metropolitan Library, the Foundation raised more than $1.2 million toward the book collections and materials for the new library, which was dedicated in 2003. Today, the library circulates nearly one million items each year, offers Homework Help for K-12 students every day after school, hosts weekly Baby Lap-time, Toddler and Preschool story times and provides additional programs and meeting spaces for the community.

“I think that getting one’s library card is second only to, and maybe even ahead of, getting your driver’s license. It releases you into new possibilities.”

– David McCullough, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian. The Foundation brought McCullough to New Albany for the fundraising benefit and to dedicate the library.