The Library... More than Books!

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Libraries. We often think of the local library as a dusty musty place with stacks of books and stern ladies always with a finger to their lips whispering Shhhh! And while it is true that libraries house mounds of books and they do appreciate your consideration of others and use of a "library voice," today's libraries offer much much more!

Special Events and Programs:

All of the major libraries in the Metro offer FREE programs all year long, but they especially roll out the red carpet for kids in the summer. Take the kids to free puppet shows, concerts, movies, classes, magic shows, science programs, craft workshops, petting zoo visits, and much more. Adults can enjoy cooking classes, gardening programs, foreign language, and book clubs. The Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Public Library offers tremendous family programs every Friday night in the Truman Auditorium. Simply visit your local library website (all listed below) for an upcoming calendar of events and be sure to register for programs in advance as many programs do fill up quickly. 

A Special Library worth a Special Visit:

Regular library patrons visit their neighborhood library faithfully, and rarely do they venture out to explore other libraries because frankly, we often think they are much like McDonald's - very little changes other than minor details. While it is true that most Kansas City area libraries are quite similar, one in particular stands out among the rest and makes it worthy of an extra special visit. The Central Library of the Kansas City Public Library (14 West 10th Street, KCMO. Hours: Monday-Wednesday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Thursday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.,  Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m) housed in the former First National Bank of Kansas City, is one of the city's most beautiful "best kept secrets." Home to fabulous research departments, in particular the Missouri Valley Room, located on the fifth floor, with an archive special historical collections including the Missouri Valley Collection (local history), Ramos Collection (African American history) and Western expansion materials. The library is an architectural masterpiece with reading rooms, research areas, a cafe, and a rooftop view of the city skyline complete with a giant life size chess set! But, the most special section of the library for families is the Children's Department, enter through the pages of a book (see image to the right) where kids will discover a wonderful reading area organized by ages and interests and offering many hands-on activities as well. Visit the Kansas City Public Library website for special events and programming. Parking Tip: The Central Library parking garage is located directly west of the Central Library building on the northwest corner of 10th & Baltimore. Parking is FREE on weekends and free for the first hour Mon-Fri with library validation and $1 for every 20 minutes thereafter with an $8/day maximum. The garage is one of Kansas City's most unique landmarks as it is styled after a giant bookcase of famous literature (image shown at top of article).

Sign up for Summer Reading Incentive Programs at Kansas City's Libraries:

Reading and listening to books and stories will open children’s minds to the magic and miracles of life as they journey to new worlds with, "Dream Big...Read!," the theme of the 2012 Library Summer Reading Programs across the Kansas City area. Children can earn rewards as they complete reading goals, a terrific way to spark a love of books at an early age! Bonus: Read our Guide to Summer Reading programs to learn about local businesses also offering incentives.

Mid-Continent Public Libraries

  • May 21 - July 31
  • Listeners ages 0 to 6 can earn a free book by listening to 24 books. Up to three paperbacks or board books may be earned. Readers ages 6 to 11 can earn a free paperback book for every 360 minutes they read, up to three paperback books in the summer. A non-book prize may also be selected instead of the third book in both programs. Teens also can stake their claim as they “Own the Night,” the theme for MCPL’s teen summer reading program. By reading and reviewing books, teens can earn “library bucks” that can be redeemed for books, prizes and library services.
  • www.MyMCPL.org

Kansas City Public Libraries

  • June 1 - August 4
  • If you are a child (12 & under) or the parent of a child, register online at the Children's Summer Reading website (coming soon!) or at your local library! For every three hours you read, you can win a prize. Read for 12 hours to complete the program and earn a book plus other prizes.
  • www.kclibrary.org

Johnson County Libraries

  • July 1 - Aug. 4
  • Children of all ages may participate by keeping a log of books they have read and/or heard, or by simply attending library programs throughout the summer. Summer reading program participants set their own goals for summer reading, record their books on their reading logs and return the logs to the library July 1-Aug. 4. Preschoolers can listen to books read by their friends or family members. School-aged children will be encouraged to read at least six books of their choice on their own. Teens may set their own goals to read their favorite books or magazines. Each participant who submits a reading log by Aug. 4 will receive a free paperback book and be eligible to be a “star” on their own READ poster and win a family 4-pack of tickets to Science City.
  • www.jocolibrary.org

Bonner Springs Public Library

  • May 29-July 28
  • Children as young as 1 and teens up to 18 may earn up to six prizes. The prizes are awarded based on the amount of reading done by each child. Children up through pre-k will receive a prize for every five books they read. Kindergartners and first graders can earn a prize for every 30 minutes they read, second and third graders earn a prize for every 60 minutes and fourth and fifth graders earn a prize for every 90 minutes of reading. Teens, grades 6-12, must read two hours for each prize. The final prize is a t-shirt, a book and a food coupon from a local merchant. Weekly raffle drawings will also be held for those kids who have read beyond the sixth prize to encourage them to read throughout the summer.
  • www.BonnerLibrary.org

Kansas City Kansas Public Libraries

  • June 1-July 31. Kick-off celebrations will be held around the city at our different locations.
  • Children from birth to fifth grade are encouraged to read 1,000 minutes over the summer. Those who reach the goal will earn a free paperback book. Teens in grades 6-12 are encouraged to read 1,500 minutes to earn their free book. All participants can also earn "library bucks" throughout the summer that can be spent to purchase additional books, prizes and school supplies, or used to pay off library card fees. Details on how to earn and spend the bucks are on the reading log: http://www.KCKPL.org/documents/SRP12yslog.pdf

Cass County Public Library

  • June 4-July 14
  • Babies through high schoolers can participate to earn prizes. Each reader completing the reading requirements by the branch due date will receive an SRP Award Book. Reading requirements for pre-readers is 25 read-to-me books. Readers up to fifth grade must read 10 books, and readers in grades 6 to 12 must read five books. Each child who completes the reading requirements will receive a Pizza Hut coupon for a personal pan pizza.  Young readers will be invited to a closing program/party at their branch.
  • http://www.casscolibrary.org/

North Kansas City Public Libraries

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