Books and Beyond

March 2, 2026

Written By Natalie Kientzy

Above: Seniors and children enjoy a meal at the library in La Cygne, Kansas. An MFA Oil Foundation grant provided the library with reusable, microwavable containers that patrons can take home and reheat.

While public libraries may be best known for their shelves of literature—from classic novels to nonfiction to everything in between—their services extend beyond books.

In Unionville, Mo., the Putnam County Public Library has served as a valuable community resource for 80 years. Director Christy Allen says the library’s goal is to keep patrons engaged.

This is accomplished through a variety of programs including a summer reading program and an afterschool craft and STEM program, which Allen eventually hopes to extend to assisted living homes.

The library is a resource for many older adults who may not be familiar with or have access to modern technology.

“In a rural community, you typically have an older population,” Allen says. “They’re often more comfortable with books as opposed to the digital resources available today. We offer those familiar resources and computer help.”

Allen feels that the various resources local libraries offer are especially important in rural areas.

“It’s easy to feel stuck in a rural community,” Allen said. “Libraries offer opportunities to broaden your horizons through reading and more.” 

These opportunities may be offered to Putnam County residents at no cost, but they aren’t free.

That is where contributions from organizations like the MFA Oil Foundation come in. In early 2025, the library received funding to purchase a book covering machine that helps protect the library’s paperback collection, giving the books a longer shelf life. 

“I wanted to invest in a machine that would make our reading material last for generations,” Allen says. “I’m very thankful for the grant. It allowed us to save time and money to devote towards other initiatives.”

Lacey Autrey, president of the Dwight Public Library in Dwight, Kan., also expresses her gratitude for the MFA Oil Foundation’s support.

“The first grant we received came right after our building was destroyed by mold,” Autrey says. “With the help of the MFA Oil Foundation, we were able to replenish our children’s collection.”

More recently, the library received funding to replace an old door with both a crack that let in outside air and outdated locks that made the entrance difficult to use. The new door allows staff to easily access the building and keeps the library energy efficient, Autrey says.

In Linn County, Kan., another library is utilizing the help of the MFA Oil Foundation to serve the community in a unique but important way.  

While conducting various children’s programs at the La Cygne Library, Janet Reynolds, a staff member of 46 years, noticed that kids were showing up hungry. She wanted to change that.

After testing various solutions, the library decided to prepare fresh meals for the children in-house. They recruited a retired restaurant owner to cook and expanded the library to include a commercial kitchen and additional seating.

When the local senior center closed, the library began providing meals for seniors as well.

While the program was doing incredible work, there were still some bumps in the process. 

The library had been serving meals in Styrofoam containers that filled the library’s dumpster and were unsafe for patrons to use to reheat leftovers at home.

In 2022, Reynolds applied for a grant from the MFA Oil Foundation to purchase microwave-safe, reusable containers that are still used today. 

“We’re blessed to have those,” Reynolds says. “They’ve really improved our lunch program.”

However, there was more to be done.

“We needed a way to keep the hot food hotter and the cold food colder,” Reynolds says. “So, I applied for another grant and purchased a steam table and a cold table.” 

Now, the La Cygne Library can keep dishes at safe temperatures, meaning all participants receive fresh, high-quality meals.

“We’re excited to have the tables,” Reynolds says.  “We really appreciate the opportunities the grants have provided us.”  

In small towns throughout the Midwest, public libraries provide education, community engagement and valuable resources. The MFA Oil Foundation is proud to support these efforts.