Mission
Our Mission
The mission of Milwaukee Public Library Foundation is to provide essential support through private contributions for books, materials, programs, and library facilities to ensure the Milwaukee Public Library's continued standing as a great library responsive to community needs.
Milwaukee Public Library Foundation supports critical resources instrumental in providing inspiration and opportunity for all who rely on the library to improve their daily lives. Because of your support, Milwaukee Public Library is a source of knowledge, empowerment, and enrichment; offered to every citizen walking through its doors—for more than 2 million annual visitors.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Since 1988, Milwaukee Public Library Foundation's Board of Directors has been led by community leaders who value the library, and today continue their vision of generating private-sector support to supplement tax-based funding. The result has been improved collections, expanded programs, enhanced services, and renovated buildings. The credit for the foundation's impact belongs mainly to the people of Milwaukee. Over the years, thousands of generous individuals, corporations, and foundations have demonstrated their deep commitment to the Milwaukee Public Library by donating to the foundation.
Foundation Board of Directors
Mary Sprague, Board President
Community Volunteer
James Kornfeld, Board Vice President
President & CEO
PAX Holdings, LLC
David Baum, Board Vice President
First Vice President, Investments
Wells Fargo Advisors
Matthew Simon, Board Secretary
Senior Vice President – Commercial Banking
BMO Harris Bank NA
Eve Romersi, Board Treasurer
Partner
Scribner Cohen
Graham Baxter
Vice President - Wealth Advisor
Johnson Financial Group
Dr. Michele Bria, Ph.D.
President
MPL Trustees
Charles Evans
Partner and Director
Marietta Investment Partners
Franklyn M. Gimbel
Founding Partner
Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown
Nancy Hernandez
President of the Hispanic Collaborative
Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
James Hyland
Vice President, Communications, Public and Government Affairs
Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc.
Bradley Kalscheur
Partner
Michael, Best & Friedrich
Susan Lovern
President &CEO
von Briesen & Roper, s.c.
Matthew Lueder
Managing Partner
Northwestern Mutual
Robert Mlynarek
Vice President of Finance
Milwaukee Regional Medical Center, Inc.
Jamshed Patel
Partner & Business Lawyer
Foley & Lardner
Nancy Roos
Community Volunteer
Ellen Sexton
Vice President, Specialty
Humana, Inc.
Margy Stratton
Executive Producer
Milwaukee Reads
Shannon Sweek
Vice President of Operations
Optum
Laura Zahn
Vice President – Financial Planning, Reporting & Analysis
Northwestern Mutual
Distinguished Directors
Arthur Harrington
Dan Renouard
Barbara Stein
David V. Uihlein, Jr.
Staff
|
Ryan E. Daniels |
Kristine Petersen |
|
Patricia Swanson |
Hanna Fogle |
|
Sylvia Dawson |
Contact
(414) 286-3784 | (414) 286-2794 fax
foundation@mpl.org | friends@mpl.org
Please make checks payable to:
Milwaukee Public Library Foundation
814 West Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233
FAQ
Questions
Why does my gift matter?
Your gift improves lives and helps the library inspire lifelong learning. More than 90% of 6,000 annual Milwaukee Public Library programs are funded entirely through your private donor support.
What is the difference between donating to the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation and the Friends of the Milwaukee Public Library?
Both organizations support Milwaukee Public Library, and both are private non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations. Each organization has its own mission, leadership, and operating structure.
The mission of the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation is to provide essential support through private contributions for programs, books, materials, digital resources, and library facilities to ensure the Milwaukee Public Library's continued standing as a great library responsive to community needs. Donor support is crucial to funding library initiatives that complement, but do not supplant the City of Milwaukee’s responsibility for library operations, forming a synergistic public-private partnership. Since its inception, the foundation has provided funding for enhancements to the Milwaukee Public Library system which would not be possible on public funding alone.
Advocates for libraries, literacy, and lifelong learning is the mission statement of the Friends of the Milwaukee Public Library organization. These volunteers conduct used book sales of books donated by the community, as well as the materials withdrawn from Milwaukee Public Library’s collection. Friends of the Milwaukee Public Library also helps to “Friend raise,” and offers annual memberships inviting individuals and families to join as “Friends of the Library.” Friends members enjoy receiving great benefits and discounts through their support for the library! Funds raised through Friends book sales and annual memberships significantly support Milwaukee Public Library’s collection and programming.
Can I donate books?
The Friends of the Milwaukee Public Library accepts donations of books and sells them to the public. Contact the Bookseller Used Book Store at (414) 286-2142, or email Friends@mpl.org for more information.
Feb 2021 update:
We’re thrilled to share our partners at Sharehouse Goods will be temporarily accepting used book donations until the Bookseller operations at Central Library have resumed. Click here for details.
Can I donate a bequest or trust income?
Yes. Directing your gift to Milwaukee Public Library Foundation creates a lasting legacy to the community and a continuing honor to the donor. Please contact Patricia Swanson: pjswans@mpl.org, or 414 286-3066 for more information.
Where do I send my donation?
Please make checks payable to Milwaukee Public Library Foundation and mail to:
Milwaukee Public Library Foundation
Friends of the Milwaukee Public Library
814 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233
*Donations can also be made securely online.