Brian Simpson has run Babbitt's Books in Normal, Illinois for the past 19 years, which Brian describes as a venture in which "on its own has tried almost every honest way to make a living buying and selling used and rare books." He creates and sells a varied list of books in philosophy, history, social science, literature, and visual and performing arts. In addition to his work, he organizes book drives for underserved audiences, including one to help the Sumner Illinois Prison library develop their collections. He has also volunteered on book drives that ship books to Africa and book sales that have benefited the McLean County Museum of History and other civic organizations.

In addition to his passion for books, he has an active engagement in theater. He is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Heartland Theater, where he has served twenty five years in leadership. His efforts included fundraising for a new theater facility and developing their unique "10 Minute Play Festival." This juried festival is an open competition for short plays which are then produced and performed. He also is a playwright himself, authoring works including The Papers of Adlai Stevenson that was produced by the Illinois Voices Theater and performed at the McLean County Museum of History.

Mayor Chris Koos says, "To read, to write, to organize, and to live in Central Illinois is better, thanks to Brian Simpson."