Rosie Book Club gets grant worth nearly $19K

A book club that meets primarily at women-owned businesses received an $18,800 grant, according to a news release from The Library Foundation.

The foundation announced Feb. 12 that it received the grant to support Rosie Book Club. The grant was issued by Nancy O’Reilly and Women Connect4Good Inc.

“The Rosie Book Club is something special, providing and creating a space where women can connect, learn and encourage one another,” said O’Reilly, founder and CEO of Women Connect4Good Inc., in the release. “Women Connect4Good is excited to partner with Leadership Springfield and the Springfield-Greene County Library District on this program expansion and help more women access the relationships, resources and encouragement they need to lead.”

Officials said the funding will significantly enhance the program, paying for food costs at book club meetings and for small incentives and door prizes. The funding will also pay for an annual author visit and make the book club program accessible to those who might otherwise face financial or logistical obstacles, according to the release.

Rosie Book Club is a joint offering of Leadership Springfield and the Springfield-Greene County Library District, according to the release. The club is open to everyone and creates opportunities for networking, skill-building and personal growth without the barriers of dues, membership requirements or sales expectations, according to the release.

According to the website of Leadership Springfield, the next Rosie Book Club meeting is scheduled for 4-5 p.m. Feb. 18 at Wallace Rae Salon, 1460 E. Cherry St., to discuss “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins. A registration link is available in the Rosie section of leadershipspringfield.org.