Our Origin Story
From a shared question to a field-building network
The Library Support Network was created because public library fundraising is essential, but too often under-resourced, misunderstood, and unsupported as a field.
What began as a question among public library fundraisers has grown into a dedicated organization helping the people who raise money for libraries connect, learn, and build stronger support together.
The story in brief
It started with connection
Public library fundraisers wanted a way to keep learning from one another beyond annual conferences and one-time conversations.
It grew through testing
Surveys, planning sessions, pilot programs, and community engagement helped shape what the field needed most.
It is now becoming permanent
LSN is moving from pilot to permanence with a three-year strategy, a growing membership model, and a clear field-building purpose.
The starting point
A field need became impossible to ignore.
The International Public Library Fundraising Conference and Library Giving Day revealed something important: people raising money for public libraries needed more than occasional events. They needed a trusted place for peer connection, practical tools, shared learning, and field-specific support.
The question
What if public library fundraisers could connect year-round?
That question led a group of library fundraising leaders to test whether a more formal network could help people share knowledge, solve common challenges, and strengthen fundraising for libraries of every size.
How LSN took shape
LSN grew through a sequence of practical experiments, volunteer leadership, seed funding, and field feedback.
International Public Library Fundraising Conference launches
The first International Public Library Fundraising Conference created a dedicated gathering place for public library fundraising professionals and leaders.
Library Giving Day launches
Library Giving Day demonstrated the value of shared tools, common messaging, and collective action to help libraries strengthen digital fundraising.
Feasibility work begins
The Seattle Public Library Foundation commissioned a feasibility study of library directors and support professionals to understand whether interest in a network was widespread.
A founding work group forms
Jonna Ward, Dawn Coppin, Leslie Modrow, Jenni Gaisbauer, and Paula Sakey formed a work group to analyze survey results and plan next steps.
Field volunteers gather
Fifty-seven people came together to review survey results, discuss common pain points, identify unmet needs, and explore how a network might move forward.
The idea gains momentum
Survey findings and an early platform prototype were shared with attendees of the virtual conference. More people wanted to get involved, and the original work group expanded into a Steering Committee.
Seed funding supports continued development
The Steering Committee developed a prospectus to seek grant funding for a two-year pilot. Steering Committee member organizations and other library foundations provided early support so the work could continue.
Pilot phase
Testing what the field wanted and needed
In October 2022, LSN launched as a beta community using an intentionally simple online platform to support peer conversations, knowledge exchange, and free convenings.
In March 2023, with a challenge grant from the Knight Foundation, LSN formally entered its pilot phase. Within months, hundreds of professionals joined, shared tools, attended events, and helped shape what LSN could become.
Planning phase
Moving from pilot to plan
With planning support from the Mellon Foundation in 2024, LSN began designing a sustainable future. The planning process included stakeholder surveys, interviews, focus groups, market analysis, and strategic planning.
In September 2024, the Library Support Network incorporated as a nonprofit organization and began the transition from pilot to permanence.
Where LSN is today
Building the field infrastructure public library fundraising needs
LSN is focused on five priorities that move the Network from pilot to permanence.
Build
Strengthen the organization.
Grow
Expand membership.
Deliver
Offer useful programs and tools.
Lead
Advance field-level initiatives.
Elevate
Increase visibility and partnerships.
Founding support
Seed funding made the pilot possible.
LSN is grateful to the founding funders whose early support helped test the idea, launch the pilot, and build momentum for a permanent organization dedicated to public library fundraising.
What remains constant
LSN has grown from an idea into an organization, but the core commitment has remained the same: build what the field needs, with the people doing the work.
Peer-led
Built by and for the people who understand the realities of public library fundraising.
Practical
Focused on tools, learning, and examples that can be used and adapted by real organizations.
Field-building
Designed to strengthen individual fundraisers while also building shared capacity across the field.
Continue exploring LSN
The origin story explains how LSN began. These pages explain who is leading the work now, who supports it, and how your organization can participate.
Meet LSN leadership
Learn more about the board, advisors, and people helping guide LSN from pilot to permanence.
Explore membership
See how Member Organizations and Community Access help people engage at different levels.
Contact us
Reach out if you are interested in membership, partnership, sponsorship, or support.
Help build what public library fundraising needs next
LSN is growing because people across the field believe public library fundraisers need a place to connect, learn, share, and lead together.