About LSN

About LSN

Building the home for public library fundraising

The Library Support Network strengthens the people and organizations that raise money for public libraries through peer connection, shared learning, practical tools, and field-building initiatives.

Page purpose

What is LSN?

The home for public library fundraising.

Why does it exist?

To fill the field-specific support gap for library fundraising.

What should visitors do next?

Join, explore offerings, or learn the origin story.

The gap

Public library fundraising has lacked dedicated infrastructure.

Public libraries are essential to thriving communities, but the fundraising systems that help libraries secure additional support have not kept pace with the scale of community need.

The response

LSN gives library fundraisers a place to connect, learn, and build together.

LSN brings together trusted peers, relevant tools, practical learning, and field-specific guidance for the people responsible for raising money for public libraries.

Who LSN serves

LSN is built for the people responsible for raising money for public libraries, across roles and organizational structures.

Public library foundation staff
Friends groups and support organizations
Library leaders with fundraising responsibilities
Board members and volunteers
Development staff new to libraries
Library staff building fundraising capacity

What LSN does

LSN supports public library fundraising through connection, learning, practical tools, and field-building work.

Connect peers

Community, convenings, affinity groups, and leadership exchange.

Share practical tools

Templates, examples, and resources that can be adapted locally.

Build knowledge

Webinars, field insights, benchmarking, and shared learning.

Strengthen the field

Collective projects no single library support organization can do alone.

How LSN is different

Peer-led, field-specific, and built for public library fundraising.

LSN is shaped by people doing the work and focused specifically on the realities of raising money for public libraries.

It is designed to serve organizations of different sizes and stages, with broad access for the field and deeper value for Member Organizations.

Its purpose is both practical and collective: helping fundraisers today while building stronger fundraising infrastructure for the future.

Moving from pilot to permanence

LSN is building the membership, programs, tools, partnerships, and infrastructure needed to support public library fundraising across North America.

Read our origin story

Founding context, early milestones, pilot phase, and where LSN is today.

Meet LSN leadership

Board, staff, advisors, and opportunities to serve.

See partners and supporters

Organizations and funders helping make the work possible.

Find your place in the network

Whether you are building a fundraising program, strengthening an established foundation, supporting a Friends group, or helping your library make a stronger case for support, LSN gives you a place to connect, learn, and contribute.