“We need your help to open a new chapter in Sparta’s story by stacking their shelves for youth success.”
Left to right: Janet Morris, Tory Pegram, Dana Roberts, Sarah Hayter
In a heart-warming application video, the Christian County Library requested funding from Impact 100 Ozark in order to purchase materials for the inaugural youth services collection in the new Sparta Community Branch location. Out of the many that applied, the library was one of the lucky recipients of a
$1,000 grant to “stack those shelves.”
Impact 100 Ozark empowers women to dramatically improve lives by collectively funding initiatives that make a lasting impact. At least 100 women from all over the area give $500 per year to the organization to fund “transformational” grants that make a “visible and significant difference” in the lives of Eastern Christian County residents. Unlike most grant processes, Impact 100 Ozark consists of an interactive, membership-driven selection process where traditional written applications are narrowed down to a group of finalists who then give 5-minute pitches for their projects. Presentations were then required to be filmed on cellphone cameras, with only one presenter and no props, and then distributed virtually to members. After the last presentation, all 100+ members voted and the grant recipients were announced live on Facebook in a virtual award gathering. This is the first year that the Chrisitan County library has participated in this interactive funding process. Other award recipients include Least of These, Children’s Smile Center, Christian County Historical Society, and the Historic River District.
Below is the library’s entire presentation video titled
Sparta’s New Stories: Stacking the Shelves for Youth Success. The money the library received will provide funding for new children’s materials in the Sparta Community Branch set to open in Spring 2021. If you’d like to contribute towards new materials in Sparta or Clever locations, please
visit our website for donation opportunities. Another way to support and be a part of the expansion effort is to purchase a
ceramic library mug. All proceeds will be used to provide new children’s materials, including early literacy toys, games, and storytelling supplies, at the new branch locations. Mugs are sold at the Clever, Nixa, and Ozark Community Branch locations. Don’t forget to stay up-to-date with construction timelines, pictures, videos, and live time-lapse progress by visiting our
expansion page.
