Vickie Hicks
 |  Special to the News-Leader

Friends of the Library Fall 2025 Book Sale total announced

Thank you to the thousands of book lovers who donated, attended, purchased and supported the Friends of the Library Fall 2025 Book Sale. Thanks also to the dedicated efforts of the Friends of the Library, who sorted, prepared and priced thousands of books to raise funds for the Springfield-Greene County Library District. The total for the Fall 2025 book sale was $206,739.50, making it the third-highest sale ever. Throughout 2025, the Friends of the Library raised $411,479.35! Since the first book sale in 1985, the Friends of the Library has raised over $5.9 million, quickly nearing the $6 million milestone. Words can’t express enough gratitude for the tremendous effort that supports the Library.

Friends of the Library support the Library District with special grants for capital projects, such as a $500,000 gift for the Republic Branch Library’s community room, $50,000 to fund the book prizes for the Summer Reading Program, and for special programming like the Oh, The Horror! series and the One Read author event. Executive Director Ed Walton added, “Thank you, Friends, for your hard work in supporting the Library District. Your support is a tremendous encouragement to our staff!”

Then and Now with John Sellars and David Eslick

Springfield has changed in size and scope over the past 150 years, with some buildings still standing, others repurposed and some lost to history. John Sellars, executive director emeritus of the History Museum on the Square, along with historian and photographer David Eslick, will explore the city’s story through photos of places like the Colonial Hotel, Lincoln School and Frisco Depot — showing past and present views. This special program will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 in the Library Center auditorium, 4653 S. Campbell Ave.

Oh, The Horror!

Oh, how we love to frighten ourselves with tales of physical and psychological possession brought on by eerie entities and strange forces. Throughout October, the Library will unveil tales of cults, covens, demons and the reasons to love horror with special events and author visits. Visit thelibrary.org/ohthehorror to see the full program schedule.

Vickie Hicks is the community relations director of the Springfield-Greene County Library District. She can be reached at vickieh@thelibrary.org. To learn more about the Springfield-Greene County Library District, visit thelibrary.org.