PIONEER LIBRARY SYSTEM FOUNDATION
Learn how to support this organization
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Established in 2010, the Pioneer Library System Foundation serves as the philanthropic fundraising entity for the greater Pioneer Library System – encompassing Oklahoma libraries throughout Cleveland, McClain, and Pottawatomie counties. Our donors support programs and community education activities above and beyond what is possible through ad valorem funding. For many people, their local library is the only place they can access books, the Internet, and other valuable resources. We seek to enhance these services by supporting transformational programming accessible to everyone in the community. Each year, we continue to expand our impact through the support of grants, sponsorships, and donor contributions. Together, we can place books directly into children's hands, bring families together to learn, help adults gain the literacy skills to secure jobs, and more.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Spark A Change (formerly PLS Reads)
Each year, Pioneer identifies a relevant and important topic on a community, state, and national level. Programming is provided throughout the year to further explore and discuss the issue, with the goal of sparking curiosity and inspiring change through community conversations and learning. Topics explored in the past two years include poverty and the environment.
Summer Learning Challenge
Provides important mental activity for children during their break from school to prevent the “summer slide” by helping them maintain or increase reading and learning levels. The program also includes activities designed for teenagers, adults, and families. In 2022, 8,430 learners participated in the challenge and recorded over 17 million minutes of learning.
Early Childhood Literacy & School Readiness
Growing Like a Read encourages parents and small children (birth to age four) to read together. This one-on-one interaction improves early literacy skills – helping children enter school ready to learn and to keep pace with their peers.
Access to books and educational materials is the most significant barrier to literacy development. Yet, research shows that 61% of children in low-income families have no books in their homes. To address this need, the Foundation distributes books to children aged 0-4 who participate in the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). 5,850 books were distributed to families last year, and feedback from parents is overwhelmingly positive. With increased support, we expect to provide 8,500 books in 2023.
Health Literacy
A trusted partner in supporting the community's well-being, the library provides essential support for the community's physical, mental, social, emotional, and environmental health. A grant from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries allows the Foundation to support health literacy programs across all three counties. Programs offered in every branch include nutrition, healthy cooking, fitness, and mental wellness. Over the past year, 9,034 participants attended 693 health literacy programs, empowering them with the information they need to take charge of their health.
ESL and Adult Literacy
We facilitate funding to support English as a Second Language and adult tutoring programs. By helping people gain crucial reading and speaking skills, tutors open doors for countless adults to finish school, secure jobs, and even gain citizenship.
Arts & Cultural Programming
Our donors support arts and cultural classes and experiences, engaging the community in visual arts, literature, and music.
Where we work
Awards
Community Leadership Award 2013
Oklahoma Humanities Council
Affiliations & memberships
American Library Association 2010
External reviews
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of books given to children through the Book Backpack Program
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
Early Childhood Literacy & School Readiness
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of books distributed to children in low-income families
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Early Childhood Literacy & School Readiness
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
We seek to create a more literate society and to enhance the quality of life for thousands of Oklahomans throughout our tri-county service area.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
• Fund educational programming at all twelve Pioneer libraries each year to support all forms of literacy in today’s society, including traditional, digital, cultural, artistic, financial, and health
• Give books to children in underserved communities to encourage reading
• Engage community partners and donors in the organization’s mission
• Heighten visibility through increased marketing and promotions
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Pioneer Library System Foundation’s board of directors, community partners, and Pioneer Library System staff all work together to fundraise and help make these initiatives possible.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Pioneer Library System Foundation successfully cultivates funding for Spark A Change (formerly PLS Reads), the annual Summer Learning Challenge, health and financial literacy programming, and book distribution programs for children. We seek to continue growing our support base to expand upon these programs and address additional needs that arise within our library communities.
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
PIONEER LIBRARY SYSTEM FOUNDATION
Board of directorsas of 01/18/2024
Dr. Brent Sykes, PhD
Randall University
Term: 2021 - 2024
Mary Carter
OKDiva Ink, LLC
Jamie Crowe
South OKC Chamber of Commerce
Carlee Jacks
McClain Bank
Amanda Johnson
First United Bank
Travis Lightsey
University of Oklahoma
Sally Maynard
Coldwell Banker Heart of Oklahoma Real Estate
Gareth Williams
Armstrong Bank
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
No data
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
No data
Transgender Identity
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data