Why I Give- Rohit Singh
For Rohit Singh, the seed of a lifelong appreciation for public libraries was planted during childhood trips to the Columbus Metropolitan Library alongside his father, an engineering professor at Ohio State. That early connection only grew over time. After moving to New York to begin his investment banking career in his early twenties, Rohit became a devoted patron of the New York Public Library. To this day, he still carries both his NYPL and Teton County Library cards in his wallet.
When Rohit and his family moved to Jackson in 2020 after years of visiting, they wanted to offer their children a grounded upbringing alongside their city life. Once in the valley, one of the first anchors they reconnected with was the public library.
With the final weeks of Old Bill’s Fun Run giving season upon us, Rohit shares why supporting the Teton County Library Foundation & Friends is essential to protecting the heart of our community.
A Sanctuary for Curiosity and Equity
Rohit views public libraries as one of the few remaining truly egalitarian, non-ideological community spaces. Echoing Andrew Carnegie’s historic vision, he believes public libraries are more vital today than ever before- even more so in an increasingly digital world.
“The library is one of my favorite places in Jackson,” Rohit says. He points to the branch’s robust offerings- from bilingual Spanish-language services to direct access to vital social services- as living proof of how the library supports the entire valley.
The impact of the library was immediate for Rohit’s family. The moment he brought his children into the Youth Wing, their eyes lit up. He deeply appreciates how thoughtfully curated the youth collections are for fostering a lifelong love of learning, alongside meaningful after-school support programs that serve students who might not otherwise have access to those resources.
And when he has a moment to browse for himself? You can find him toward the back of the Adult Wing, exploring the mystery and thriller shelves. Since much of Rohit’s job in banking requires detailed reading of numbers, he uses fiction to decompress. Currently, he is getting lost in Daniel Silva’s thriller, Ransom: a Gabriel Allon novel.
Bridging the Funding Gap Through Old Bill’s
While public funding provides the foundation for a strong library, Rohit recognizes the important role that private funding plays in building on that foundation and creating even more opportunities for the community.
“Private philanthropy through the Teton County Library Foundation & Friends is essential to sustain and elevate the library’s offerings, ” Rohit says.
Rohit shared three key reasons for choosing to give through Old Bills:
The Match: the matching funds directly amplify the impact.
The Community Dialogue: Old Bill’s sparks essential valley-wide conversations around “Who are you giving to this year?”
Leading by Example: Giving through Old Bill’s signals to friends, neighbors, and peers that the library is an institution profoundly worth supporting.
An Anchor in a Changing World
As society navigates social fragmentation, digital fatigue, and the rise of AI- generated content, Rohit sees physical books and public libraries as essential counterweights. They remain democratic sanctuaries where truth, human connection, and curiosity thrive.
“Young generations sometimes mistakenly view libraries as outdated, when in reality, the opposite is true,” Rohit says. “Libraries are evolving into the ultimate modern community centers.”
As the Old Bill’s Fun Run giving window closes in just a few days, your support ensures that our library remains a welcoming, supportive environment for every resident in Teton County.
Join Rohit in supporting TCLFF through Friday, September 18, 2026. Your matched donation directly sustains vital programs, youth literacy, and free access to information for all.