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For some, the library is a place. For others, it becomes a lifelong relationship. For Don and Lisal Gorman, that relationship has grown into a legacy that will impact the Gahanna community for generations to come.
Don’s connection to Columbus Metropolitan Library began many years ago with a simple visit to his neighborhood branch. His love for reading and learning led to a deep commitment to ensuring that others would have access to the same opportunities.
Lisal has a similar passion for our community and has been an important member of the Franklin Park Conservatory’s Women’s Board. Her volunteerism and involvement helps support many education and outreach programs.
Their combined work to remove barriers to access and support education have made a real difference in the central Ohio community. In fact, since 2002, Don and Lisal have supported the library with time, leadership, and philanthropy including participation in the library foundation’s signature event, Celebration of Learning, for over 10 years. Don stepped into volunteer roles with Friends of the Library, eventually serving as Board President, helping to strengthen advocacy and funding efforts that keep library services accessible to all. His leadership extended even further when he joined the Great Libraries Create campaign committee, helping raise vital funds to build and transform library branches across the community.
Their commitment reached new heights with a transformational estate gift to support a new library branch in Gahanna. On March 2023, over 4,000 people visited the new branch on opening day. It was a powerful moment that brought to life the very vision Don and Lisal had long supported.
At the Gahanna Branch groundbreaking, Don shared his motivation for giving: “My love affair with Columbus Metropolitan Library started many, many years ago at the... Shephard Branch. Then we moved to Gahanna... The knowledgeable and caring staff here makes all this so much more special and more important for us... My family has been supportive of central Ohio in philanthropy for over 250 years, setting an incredible precedent that we are so proud to be just a small part of. My wonderful wife, Lisal, first in my heart and first name on the building when you walk in – and that is exactly how it should be!”
Like Don and Lisal, you can leave a legacy that opens doors.
Through the library’s partnership with Cristo Rey Columbus High School, Hawa became an intern in the library’s Development office. She has a dream of becoming an attorney and so the Development team made it possible for her to observe a trial and meet legal professionals. These connections led to her current internship with a law firm.
Columbus Metropolitan Library is adding one more point of access for customers: a pop-up library made possible by Battelle. Check out the full story here.
Columbus Metropolitan Library’s School Delivery program and the Parsons Branch visited Stewart Elementary, one of 16 Columbus City Schools served by School Delivery, during teacher conferences. Students received a free take-home book thanks to supporters like you!
This Hilltop Branch customer received help from Spanish-speaking staff at the Community Support Center to file for worker’s compensation. Staff helped him update his resume and create an Indeed profile; he landed some interviews and was offered a position.
