Memphis Library Foundation
Imagine More
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
DiscoverREAD Early Literacy Centers
MPL’s DiscoverREAD environments are hands-on learning spaces that aim to increase kindergarten readiness by providing caregivers, children’s first teachers, with the information they need to help their children develop vital social-emotional and literacy skills before beginning school.DiscoverREAD environments are specifically designed to expose children and caregivers to at least three of the five Every Child Ready to Read® (ECRR) practices that support early literacy skill development (reading, talking, singing, playing, and writing) each time they visit a library branch. While interacting in the literacy rich environments, caregivers and children engage in activities together such as looking at books, doing puzzles, playing games, crafting, and singing, with caregivers learning methods for engaging children in easy, affordable learning activities at home.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The Memphis Library Foundation has one goal, and that is to continually enhance the Memphis Public Library & Information Center (MPLIC) and ensure its status as a place where all people in the community can access the resources they need, regardless of their circumstances. MPLIC's goal is to satisfy their patrons' need to know. In pursuing this goal, they provide books and so much more, including educational and arts programming, connection to needed resources, technology access and training, job training and resources, and much more.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Memphis Public Libraries (MPL) identified five strategic goals that directs resources on ensuring that all Memphians have access to the technology needed to increase knowledge, learning, and access to the economy, reaching beyond its walls with creative partnerships that make a difference in people’s lives, communicating in a way that moves the Library from a supporting player to a leadership role that is highly valued in today’s public space, presenting the Library as a platform for three overriding purposes: literacy, education accelerator, and jobs center and advancing a culture of excellence in operations and outreach.MPL adopted several strategies for fulfilling the goals related to its mission. These strategies include: Enhancing communication to expand knowledge of MPL and its resources, providing ongoing training opportunities for current and future technology to better meet the service demands of the 21st century. MPL will further build on its position as an institution for addressing the literacy challenges in Memphis and will serve as an education accelerator that supports increasing early literacy and education achievement for all children. Finally, MPL has committed to increasing access to career resource materials and programs that support job search, career development, entrepreneurship, which ultimately results in a better local economy.The Memphis Library Foundation's role is to identify funding opportunities and pursue private funding to support the MPL's strategic initiatives.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Memphis Library Foundation is comprised of an influential board of directors and experienced staff and contracted employees. These combined resources have made the Foundation an effective advocate for the library and a successful fundraising arm. The organization has strong community relationships in business, government, and philanthropy.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Over the last year, the Memphis Library Foundation has established DiscoverREAD early learning centers in 4 branch libraries; and there are another 4 spaces in progress. MLF established CLOUD901 in 2015, an award-winning digital lab for teens located in the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. The Foundation funded Lynda.com as well as streaming equipment for WYPL, the library's television channel. MLF funds hundreds on programs annually, from Story Times for toddlers, to iPad classes for seniors.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Memphis Library Foundation
Board of directorsas of 03/21/2024
Lawson Arney
Raymond James
Term: 2021 - 2023
Lawson Arney
Raymond James
Jack Belz
Belz Enterprises
Heather Grosvenor
Community Volunteer
Herman Morris
Attorney at Law
Christine Munson
Retired, First Tennessee Bank
Juliette Paul
Christian Brothers University
Lemoyne Robinson
Chairman, Memphis Public Libraries Board of Trustees
Jacqueline Wallace
President, Friends of the Library
Gerre Currie
Financial Federal
Jonathan Lindsey
Martin, Tate, Morrow & Marston, PC
Toria Brown
The Pursuit Center, Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Jennifer Campbell
Social Worker in private practice
Maria Fuhrmann
Retired, Chief of Staff, Mayor Jim Strickland
John Lewis
Semmes-Murphey Clinic PC
Calvetta Mathis
Independent Bank
Alejandro Paredes
City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development
Rev. Leonard Perkins, Sr.
USAF Retired; Pastor, Patmos Island Church
Jody Shutzberg
Community Volunteer
Sean Norris
Truist Bank
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
No data