Simpson Estate & Elder Law

Simpson Estate & Elder Law Your local Elder Law attorney.

01/28/2026

📚Dr. Greg Carter has always been about using education to further one’s future. The West Plains Public Library director recounts a story from his first day of kindergarten: He told the teacher he was going to college. And he did — multiple times.

“I was one of the first in my family to get a college degree,” says Carter, who grew up in Howell County and is now a board member for the Community Foundation Of West Plains, Inc. “That was always important to my parents — that I was educated — and it was always important to my parents that I had a book.”

After beginning at Missouri State University-West Plains, Carter taught locally and became a librarian.

“I want to make books magic for kids,” he says, recounting difficult situations such as poverty, foster care and abuse that he’s seen kids navigate.

He earned his doctorate to become a superintendent — but in 2023, he was asked if he’d lead the community’s library. One of his goals was accessibility. An example: Fines were eliminated, reducing a barrier that might keep patrons away.

“I think sometimes we get this negative mindset about the public, when in reality, the public is good,” he says, noting that items are still returned. “I want them to use the library, so anything that may hinder them from using it, I try to take away.”

Such decisions contributed to the selection of West Plains Public Library as Missouri’s Library of the Year in 2025.

“Everyone loves their public library because we’re so much more than just books,” he says. “I had a guy come in that said, ‘I’m desperate for a job. I don’t know how to write a résumé,’ and we sat down and helped him.

“It’s things like that when you really make a big impact on people.”

Story and photo by Kaitlyn McConnell. Find more stories of impact and community leadership at https://www.cfozarks.org/news-resources/cfo-stories.

Getting ready for a new year? Come see Ben or Marty for your estate planning needs. Let our family help your family.
01/19/2026

Getting ready for a new year? Come see Ben or Marty for your estate planning needs.

Let our family help your family.

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