The library’s partnership with Battelle was driven by two opportunities. First, library staff are excellent stewards of taxpayer dollars. But sometimes prudence can limit bold ideas. Our development team worked with Battelle to secure the largest, most unrestricted gift possible that still met the company’s philanthropic priorities. The result was a gift with parameters determined by staff ideas. This not only left room to dream, but inspired innovation and gave staff the tools and dollars to pilot those dreams into action.

Second, recognizing the pandemic’s disruptions to in-person programming, library staff were challenged to find new and innovative ways to encourage customers to come back to the library and interact with children, families and caregivers, and schools. Battelle’s gift allowed the staff to incentivize in-branch activities while also developing new outreach efforts.

Battelle’s gifts included investments in three categories:

Foundational Programming: CML enhanced Summer Reading Challenge with better prizes, more frequent incentives and hybrid programs, expanded our Ready for Kindergarten outreach to childcare/preschool facilities, and started a Young Minds Author Series featuring popular authors and book giveaways.

Community Outreach: We launched a mobile, pop-up library truck, bringing books and technology to neighborhoods, events, and schools. We also partnered with struggling school districts, sending reading assistants to the school to work one-on-one with students and support teachers.

Personalized Learning: Battelle’s gift let us add interactive, self-service tools in our 23 locations, such as play-to-learn stations, special spaces for tweens with maker tables and laptops, and creative teen areas with charging lockers and media elements.

Battelle’s support expanded innovation opportunities for our organization:

Foundational Programming: Summer Reading Challenge registration grew by more than 11.5% to over 53,000 kids (pre-pandemic levels); completions soared by 50% (highest in history), and program attendance reached an all-time high. Ready for Kindergarten outreach now connects with nearly 200,000 children through 6,500 programs.

Community Outreach: Our mobile op-up Library has engaged 5,780 customers, issued 267 library cards, and checked out 665 books at 21 events since April. School Reading Assistants provided 9,000 hours of help to nearly 300 students. Their reading skills improved between 33–75%, and 44 students reached grade-level proficiency.

Personalized Learning/Visits: Enhancements throughout our children, tween and teen areas helped drive visits to pre-pandemic numbers. The Young Minds/Family Author Series hosted over a dozen events, gave away 5,000 books, and welcomed hundreds of kids.