To better serve the community and qualify for grants, we’ve chosen to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This decision represents more than just paperwork—it reflects a transformation in how I view the purpose of my book collection.
For years, I’ve been the kind of person who buys books but doesn’t lend them. Not out of selfishness, but because I cherished them. Each title was carefully selected and lovingly preserved. I didn’t like loaning books out—not even to close friends—because I worried they’d be damaged or lost. They felt like treasures meant to stay safely in my care.
But the vision for this library began to grow, and with it, my perspective shifted. I learned that when a collection is donated to a nonprofit, it legally becomes the property of that nonprofit. That detail—oddly enough—helped me let go. The books aren’t just mine anymore. They’re no longer a dormant pile of riches collecting dust. They’ve become a living collection with a purpose of its own: to spark joy, imagination, and learning in other people’s children.
Making this a nonprofit was also a financial decision rooted in empathy and experience. For many years, I was a stay-at-home mom with very little disposable income. I homeschooled four young children on a shoestring budget, and every dollar was carefully allocated. One of our greatest blessings during that time was a $400/year “grandparent scholarship” we received for our children’s education. It felt like a fortune—and I spent it with great care on books, learning materials, and curriculum.
I understand personally what it feels like to want the best for your kids but have very little extra to give them. That’s why I want to offer library membership scholarships in the future, once we reach a stable number of paying patrons. No family should be left out because of finances.
While many private libraries avoid forming a board or giving up legal ownership of their collections, I realized that becoming a 501(c)(3)—even with the trade-offs—would open the door to grants, donations, and greater impact. And that matters more to me now than holding tightly to "my" books.
I’m also currently training in adult literacy education, preparing to launch future programs to serve those who never had the chance to learn to read confidently. This library isn’t just for homeschoolers—it’s for learners of all ages.
With over 75,000 homeschoolers living within 45 minutes of our Round Rock-area library, I believe the Fallen Sparrow Library can become a haven of learning and delight for countless families. I want to reach them—and I want to serve them well.
When we are a nonprofit, all donations will be tax-deductible. Whether you want to give a one-time gift, sponsor a themed pouch or Discovery Box, or make a recurring contribution, your generosity helps bring stories to life for others.
If you believe in books, in literacy, in childhood wonder, and in local solutions that bless real families, we’d love your support.