Foundation Celebrates Achievements in 2024, Paves Way for Future

Written by: Emily Wherle, Director of Communications and PR/St. Elizabeth Healthcare; KCPL Foundation Board member 

The Kenton County Public Library Foundation has a lot to celebrate from 2024, which happened to be my first year on the Foundation board.

Some highlights of our work last year include:

• Promoting childhood literacy: Last fall, we sorted and hand-delivered more than 2,200 books to kindergartners at public and private schools throughout the county. Additionally, last spring, we entered into a partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to provide books to children up to age five at no cost, mailed monthly to their homes for them to keep.
• Honoring a local educator: We presented the Mary Ann Mongan Literacy Award to Shawna Harney, Chief Academic Officer with the Kenton County School District. In her 27 years in education, Harney has led efforts around safety, literacy and staff development. And her staff pulled off a surprise award presentation at River Ridge Elementary in November!
• A new library branch in Latonia: We provided financial support towards the library’s new branch in Latonia. The new space will feature a large meeting room, multiple small study rooms, a generous children’s, teen and adult areas, and a comprehensive collection of materials.

The 12 members of the Foundation board share a common understanding that libraries are more than just a place for reading, they can help connect and empower communities.

The Foundation is a charitable organization created in 2001 to support, encourage and enhance library programs. It can provide a source of funding for library programs outside of the county library tax and other government funding streams.

If, like me, you’ve benefited from the resources and programs at the library, I encourage you to support the Kenton County Public Library Foundation’s work in 2025 and beyond. As a community-driven institution, libraries rely on our support. Consider making a donation to invest in this work and help ensure the library’s stability to serve future generations.