Stories of Impact

Your donation bridges gaps, enriches lives, and empowers our community.

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Nancy with her latest library books. Behind her is a photograph of her three smiling sons.

A Cup of Tea with Nancy, Who Reads a Book Every Day

From childhood to age 93, and all around the country, voracious reader Nancy has leaned on books for companionship, adventure, and community building. Now finding herself often at home, she relies on At Home Service to fuel her lofty reading habits (one book per day!) and transport herself to different worlds. Meet the person with a lifetime of literary memories to share!

New Connections
Irfan wearing Hennepin County Library batch and smiling

Franklin Library Helped Irfan Find New Community

Irfan is an exceptional young person who established a free tutoring center in his village in Afghanistan at age 14. However, when Afghanistan was evacuated in August 2021, he was forced to abandon the work he felt called to do. Transitioning to life in Minnesota, Irfan faced alienation and uncertainty. Read the full story to learn how his encounter with the library supported building community and the next chapter of his education. 

Eden Prairie Library Lead Tutor works with a student at Homework Help program

Homework Help

How do you help a person see and believe in their capabilities? What does it take to build relationships that engage and empower? Ask Homework Help tutors! These caring adults not only help boost student grades, understanding, and confidence, but forge partnerships that have a lasting impact. Read about neighborhood tutors offering wisdom, patience, and life-changing lessons at the library.

A young man and his library mentor stand side by side in front of the Sumner library stacks.

From Childhood Check-outs to Workplace Readiness, Johnny Grew at Sumner Library

At Sumner Library, Johnny sports a Godzilla vs. King Kong graphic tee and high-fives neighborhood kids who drop in for snacks and stories. Their eyes light up at his attention, because for them, Johnny used to be the teenager who lived in their building, and now he’s the guy behind the check-out counter at their favorite place.

Curios cat with reading glasses

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