Wichita Public Library Foundation [Legacy Society

To establish an endowed tribute or memorial, please call 316-261-8546.

Jerry Frank Kinzy Endowed Memorial

Jerry Kinzy had wide-ranging interests. Traveling and reading were major sources of pleasure. His love of history allowed incorporating music, art, and literature into his experiences which he was happy to share with others. Civil War history was a major focus of his reading. He visited all of the major Civil War battle sites and many minor sites. Jerry loved books and visited the library regularly. Income from the endowment will be used to support the purchase of American and European history collections at the Library.

Hattie Edwards Bright Endowed Memorial

Hattie Edwards Bright, 1867-1937, an early Kansas pioneer was a strong influence on her granddaughter, Jeanne Bright O'Malley. Having watched her grandmother live through the Great Depression, Jeanne knew the value of an education and hard work. Mrs. O'Malley's gift to the Library Foundation will continue to honor her grandmother's life and work. Income from the endowment will be used to support the Kansas history collection at the Library.

Carol Doherty Endowed Memorial

Carol Doherty was a long-time employee and Friend of the Wichita Public Library. Her family set up her memorial in 2009 to support the audio book collection. Each year income from the endowment will be used to purchase audio books which allow the visually impaired to continue to enjoy the beauty of the written word.

Kendall R Durst Endowed Memorial

The Kendall R Durst Decorative Arts Collection was established in 2008. As the Senior Librarian in the Art Music and Video department of the Library, Kendall recognized the depth and value of the decorative arts collection held by the Library. We are grateful to Kendall for sharing his passion with the Library and his mother, Jayne Nichols, for the establishment of this memorial in support of the maintaince and purchase of pieces for the Durst Decorative Arts collection.

Grandmother "Helen McCarthy" Hyde Endowed Memorial

Professor John Hyde established a memorial in memory of his mother, Helen McCarthy Hyde. Income from the endowment will be used to support the purchase of children's classics for the Library System. Grandmother Hyde was an avid reader and loved sharing her passion with her children and grandchildren.

Robert Fleischman Endowed Memorial

Robert was not a Wichita native but a grandpa that loved books. His grandchildren are following in his footsteps spending many hours reading books and absorbing as much as they can at the Westlink Branch. His family felt the establishment of an endowed memorial would honor his life's passion and provide support for generations to come.

Olive Ann Beech Memorial Scholarship in Library Science

The Olive Ann Beech Memorial Scholarship was established in 1994 by her daughter, Mary Lynn Oliver, to support Library staff pursuing a masters degree in Library Science. The 2012 scholarship recipients were Dawn Nordyke, Greg Nordyke and Savannah Ball. As of 2012, 30 Beech scholarships have been awarded to Library staff.

David and Sally Jackman Endowed Memorial

Income from the Jackman Endowed Memorial supports purchases of books and librarys materials specializing in the study of archaeology and anthropology of the Americas prior to 1492. David's passion was pre-Columbian art and history and lives through his gift to the Foundation.