Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Many important purchases, services, and programs are only possible through privately funded contributions which supplement but never supplant City of Sheboygan appropriations to provide life-long learning experiences in our community. The Mead Public Library Foundation develops, manages, and allocates private funds to provide an extra margin of excellence for the library, and promotes awareness of the library and its programs. Gifts to the Mead Public Library Foundation will help maintain the excellence of the library collections, diverse programs, and free access to technical and information resources.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Sheboygan Children's Book Festival Financial Sponsor
The mission of the Sheboygan Children's Book Festival is to foster a love of reading and inspire young readers, writers, and artists by offering a wide array of dynamic, free public events featuring outstanding children's book creators.
The Mead Public Library Foundation is a sponsor of the Book Festival.
As Wisconsin's first children's book festival, the Sheboygan Children's Book Festival celebrates children's literature and provides the opportunity for kids, teens, families and children's book lovers of all ages to: meet outstanding children's book authors and illustrators; explore the art of children's book illustration; participate in workshops, discussions, and demonstrations; and be inspired as readers, writers, and artists.
Dr. Jerome M. Maas Teen Learning Center
The Maas Teen Learning Center is a space within Mead Public Library. It was developed for use by teens as a spot to socialize, learn and have fun. Brainfuse is an online tutoring service available to Mead Library cardholders, used primarily by teens.
Teen Summer Library Program
Acuity Cool Picks is a summer library program for teens (grades 6-12) based at Mead Public Library. It include incentives for reading, plus other activities including movie and gaming events.
Youth Services Improvements at Mead Public LIbrary
In 2012, the Mead Public Library Foundation funded improvements (sound system, carpeting) to the library's Rocca Meeting Room, used for youth services as well as adult programs. In 2013, the Foundation funded remodeling a space to create a children's activity center adjacent to the Henrietta A. Landwehr Children's Library Center.
These projects were funded by the income from a bequest intended for youth services from Dr. Jerome M. Maas.
Sheboygan Reads
Since the second biannual “Sheboygan Reads” in 2007, the Mead Public Library Foundation has provided funding for a “community reads” program based at Mead Public Library.
Foundation funds have purchased copies of books and paid for expenses related to author visits and many other programs that are part of “Sheboygan Reads.”
In 2007 author Michael Perry brought his band “The Long Beds,” for a concert, and followed up with a writers’ workshop and “An Evening with Michael Perry.” In 2009, the program featured the trend of self-publishing with “The Green Steed,” written by a local resident, Betsy Michael. The programs included one about cycling and another on memoir-writing. The popularity of the latter program led to the 2011 Sheboygan Reads program which featured Jerry Apps, a popular regional writer of fiction and non-fiction, particularly about rural life. In 2013, the program featured Carrie Bebris, who writes a popular Jane Austen mystery series. Events featured everything Austen, from letter-writing to dancing.
Where we work
External reviews

Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of free participants in conferences
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Infants and toddlers, Children and youth
Related Program
Sheboygan Children's Book Festival Financial Sponsor
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
COVID-19 changed our game plan in 2020 and 2021. The library was closed for a portion of the year. When we weren't closed, there was very little aggressive activity going on.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn 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?
The Mead Public Library Foundation's three main goals are:
1. INCREASE VISIBILITY AND RECOGNITION OF THE FOUNDATION
2. MAXIMIZE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND SOURCES
3. COLLABORATE WITH MAJOR STAKEHOLDERS
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Some of the strategies for reaching the goals are:
-Increase visibility and recognition of the Foundation's role in the success of the library to enhance advocacy, communication and fundraising efforts.
-Research, develop and implement a diversified fundraising effort that ensures the Foundation's long-term ability to enhance the excellence of the library.
-Foster collaborative relationships with major stakeholders to support the mission and work of the library and to enhance the library's outreach.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The organization has a very strong Board of Directors as well as support staff to encourage and facilitate the details of these strategies. They also have generous volunteers who are dedicated to reaching the goals of the organization.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Within the objectives of the Foundation's Strategic Plan, they have began the process of all three of their goals. They are working with multiple community organizations to foster change. They have maintained the highest level of fiscal responsibility and transparency with their funds. A new board member orientation process is in place and recognition for past and current donors is on-going.
The Foundation continues to work on raising awareness in the community, increasing Renaissance Society membership and developing relationships with other library and community organizations. These goals will, by their nature, always be on-going.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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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.
MEAD PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION INC
Board of directorsas of 01/18/2022
Mrs. Kathie Norman
William Holbrook
Carol Kolzow
Maeve Quinn
Konrad Testwuide
Garrett Erickson
Marilyn Montemayor
Thomas Peneski
Frederic Tyszka
Beth Bartelt
Karl Nelson
John Schroeder
Elizabeth Braden
John Donovan
Sandy Loth
John Perronne
Steven Stauber
Mary Liz Towne
Jim Williams
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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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 ? Yes -
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? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 12/29/2021GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.