A small-town library received a delivery of hundreds of books, and Patrick Mahomes quietly stayed to arrange the shelves himself
In one of the returned books, a bookmark revealed a surprise donation for a new reading program.
Patrick Mahomes Quietly Transforms Small-Town Library with Book Donation and Surprise Funding for New Reading Program
In the quiet town of Liberty, Missouri, just a short drive from Kansas City’s bustling stadiums, the Liberty Public Library has long served as a haven for book lovers, young and old. But with a tight budget and an aging collection, the library struggled to keep its shelves stocked and its programs vibrant. That all changed on the morning of September 19, 2025, when a delivery truck rolled up with an unexpected gift: hundreds of brand-new books, ranging from children’s classics to STEM-focused texts for teens. Behind this literary windfall was none other than Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who didn’t just fund the donation but stayed for hours, rolling up his sleeves to arrange the shelves himself. The real surprise, however, came later, when a librarian discovered a bookmark tucked inside a returned book—a note from Mahomes revealing a $15,000 donation to launch a new community reading program.
The delivery arrived without warning, catching head librarian Susan Carter off guard. “I thought it was a mistake,” Carter told the Liberty Tribune. “We hadn’t ordered anything, and suddenly there’s a truck unloading 400 books—everything from Charlotte’s Web to coding manuals.” The collection, tailored to the library’s needs, included diverse titles to engage young readers and support the town’s growing homeschooling community. As Carter and her small staff began unboxing, Mahomes slipped in through a side door, dressed in a plain hoodie and jeans, no entourage in sight. “He just started shelving, like it was the most normal thing in the world,” said volunteer Emily Nguyen, 19, who snapped a photo that later went viral on X with over 1.5 million views.
For nearly three hours, the NFL superstar worked alongside the staff, organizing books by genre and chatting about his own childhood love of reading. “He told us about sneaking Harry Potter under the covers with a flashlight,” Nguyen recalled, laughing. “Said it helped him dream big, just like football.” Mahomes’ presence electrified the library, with a handful of patrons—mostly kids on their lunch break—gathering to watch in awe. He paused to sign a few bookmarks and pose for selfies, but his focus remained on the task, ensuring every book found its place. “He knew exactly where the sports biographies should go,” Carter noted. “The man’s got an arm and an eye for detail.”
The true bombshell came days later, when a young patron returned one of the new books—a copy of The Giver—and found a bookmark inside, embossed with the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation logo. Scrawled in Mahomes’ handwriting was a note: “Liberty, keep turning pages. Big things coming for your readers. Check with Susan.” Puzzled, Carter contacted the foundation and learned that Mahomes had quietly pledged $15,000 to establish the Liberty Readers Program, a year-long initiative to provide free literacy workshops, author visits, and book clubs for kids and teens. The program, set to launch in January 2026, aims to serve over 200 local students, many from underserved families who rely on the library as a safe space.
“It’s a game-changer,” Carter said, her voice breaking. “We’ve been scraping by, canceling programs to pay for repairs. Now we can inspire kids the way Patrick was inspired.” The donation covers facilitator salaries, materials, and even tablets for digital literacy training, addressing a gap in the town’s resources. Liberty, with a population of just 30,000, has seen its library budget dwindle to $1.2 million annually, barely enough to maintain its aging building. Mahomes’ gift, combined with the books—valued at $10,000—offers a lifeline to a community hub that serves 80% of local families, per library records.
Word of the gesture spread like wildfire on social media, with #MahomesReads trending alongside heartfelt posts from parents and teachers. “This man’s throwing touchdowns and saving libraries,” tweeted @BookwormKC, a local educator, alongside a clip of Mahomes stacking books. The story resonated beyond Missouri, with librarians nationwide sharing their own struggles on X, some jokingly begging Mahomes to visit their towns. “Pat, our shelves are empty in Ohio—help!” posted @LibraryLad. Even Chiefs rivals joined the praise, with a Baltimore Ravens fan, @RavensRoost, writing, “Mahomes is out here winning at life. Respect.”
How Mahomes chose Liberty remains a topic of speculation. Insiders point to his deep ties to the Kansas City metro area and a possible tip from a teammate who grew up nearby. The 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, which orchestrated the donation, has a history of quiet acts—recently clearing a diner’s debts and gifting a high school team new uniforms. “Patrick’s got a knack for finding people who need a boost,” said foundation spokesperson Laura Bennett. “He saw Liberty’s library as a place where kids’ futures are built, one book at a time.”
The bookmark discovery added a layer of magic to the story. The returned book’s young reader, 12-year-old Mia Lopez, became a local celebrity after sharing the note with her classmates. “I thought it was just a cool bookmark, but then I read it and freaked out,” she told KMBC 9. Her mother, a single parent, said the new reading program would give Mia a chance to explore her love of writing, a passion Mahomes himself nurtured as a kid. “He’s not just a quarterback—he’s a role model,” she said.
Skeptics might raise an eyebrow, noting the Chiefs’ busy season and Mahomes’ packed schedule. But those who saw him in action—dusting off shelves, joking with kids—dismiss any hint of a publicity stunt. “He didn’t post a thing about it,” said Nguyen. “If I hadn’t taken that photo, nobody would’ve known.” The foundation confirmed Mahomes personally funded the books and donation, with no corporate backing, echoing his recent pattern of low-key generosity, like rescuing 19 shelter dogs last month.
As Liberty’s library prepares for its new chapter, the community is rallying. Volunteers have doubled since the story broke, and local businesses are pitching in to paint the reading room before the program’s launch. For Mahomes, it’s another quiet victory in a season of off-field heroics. “Reading opened my world,” he told the staff before leaving, his voice soft but firm. “I just want these kids to have that same shot.”
The Liberty Public Library, once a fading beacon, now glows with possibility. And somewhere, in a returned book, a bookmark from a superstar reminds a small town: dreams start with a single page.
