Post Date: Thu, April 6, 2023
The Library is excited to offer resources and a month of activities in commemoration of Earth Day 2023 on Saturday, April 22. Since April 1970, Americans have used the occasion to raise awareness and inspire action aimed at protecting and saving Earth’s natural resources. In 1990, Earth Day went global, and now is observed as a day of action and awareness for issues we face as a worldwide community.
Post Date: Wed, January 25, 2023
As we commemorate Black History Month, there are many ways to discover stories celebrating African American experiences. Check out a selection of recommended books and browse a collection of films available through the Library's free streaming services. Attend one of our public speaker events or activities. You can also explore, learn, and celebrate with resources from the Kansas City Black History website and commemorative booklet.
Post Date: Tue, February 2, 2021
Amid a heightened struggle with longstanding racial inequity and injustice, the Library is joining our city and country in marking the annual February observance of Black History Month. Never, perhaps, has it had more resonance.
Post Date: Fri, January 28, 2022
The Library commemorates
Black History Month with a collection of speaker events, activities, and book discussions. Tune in to watch live online, or check out past programs
on our YouTube channel.
Post Date: Tue, December 6, 2022
As you prepare to deck halls, make merry, and greet the season, you can find a variety of Library resources and holiday happenings that can make spirits bright. From festive family events to music and films befitting this time of year, we’ve wrapped up these offerings in a big bookish bow.
Post Date: Sat, May 21, 2022
“This is really about the community,” said U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo during her April 14 visit to the Library. "It’s not about one person standing up here. This is all of us coming together.” For the past two months, Kansas Citians engaged in Big Read 2022 book discussions, speaker events, film screenings, and other activities revolving around Harjo's An American Sunrise. As the celebration draws to a close, we look back on memorable moments.
Post Date: Wed, May 23, 2018
Pump up the volumes as the Library's Summer Reading Program again invites both youth and adults to Rock & Read. The song remains the same: Read and log five books between May 25-July 31, 2018, earn a rockin’ prize. Explore this year’s music-themed offerings, including suggested reading titles, events, book discussions, family activities, and more.
Post Date: Tue, July 10, 2018
When U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy recently announced his retirement, a national conversation kicked into gear regarding the process of nominating and confirming a new justice to our nation’s highest court. To help make sense of the SCOTUS – its history, its role in our society, the personalities in its ranks – the Library has gathered a collection of resources to help you explore how its decisions have influenced the country and the lives of its people.
Post Date: Tue, June 14, 2022
North-East Branch hosts World Refugee Day for the second time on Saturday, June 18, 2022. The celebration will take place in the parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Post Date: Sat, February 25, 2023
Throughout March, the Library commemorates Women's History Month by lifting up stories, achievements, and experiences past and present. Explore book recommendations, watch online events, and discover how local women helped shape Kansas City’s history.
Post Date: Mon, September 13, 2021
The Library's Amanda Barnhart, manager of the North-East Branch, participated in an online conversation with author Christopher Paolini about his new book To Sleep in a Sea of Stars on September 8, 2021, as part of PBS Books' video interview series tied to the 2021 Library of Congress National Book Festival: “Open a Book, Open the World."
Post Date: Thu, March 31, 2022
The Big Read Kansas City 2022 celebrates U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo and her acclaimed book of poetry, An American Sunrise. Explore poetry, history, and Native American literature and culture through book discussions, speaking events, films, an art exhibit, and much more in this community-wide reading program.
Post Date: Mon, February 6, 2023
The system’s first branch – the oldest in Kansas City – is marking its 125th birthday with a week of remembrances, appearances, and other activities, plus a special art exhibition.
Post Date: Wed, January 12, 2022
How do you thoughtfully consume news and information? As part of National News Literacy Week (January 24-28, 2022), the Library hosts a virtual series of conversations with local journalists, covering the topics of democracy, disinformation, and distrust. You can also find out how your library card gives you free access to digital newspapers, magazines, and other information resources.
Post Date: Wed, January 18, 2023
The Kansas City Public Library wants to help the community get and stay informed with its participation in National News Literacy Week 2023. The initiative, led by the News Literacy Project and E.W. Scripps, runs from January 23-27 and promotes news literacy as a vital life skill.
Post Date: Fri, October 28, 2022
Throughout November, discover the rich history, ceremonies, and storytelling traditions of the Indigenous peoples of North America as part of Native American Heritage Month. Explore Library reading recommendations, films, resources, and more.
Post Date: Tue, May 30, 2023
Pride Month in June commemorates the Stonewall riots in New York's Greenwich Village, which ignited the gay rights movement in the United States in 1969. The Library offers a collection of book recommendations, events, films, and other resources that celebrate LGBTQIA+ voices and experiences.
Post Date: Wed, May 29, 2019
The Library launches an out-of-this-world learning adventure for all ages in this year’s Summer Reading Program. As 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, we invite readers to Dare to Discover a universe of books, events, and activities that celebrate science fact and fiction alike. Read five books between June 1-July 31, 2019 (our mad scientist librarians have cooked up some stellar Suggested Reading titles to get you started). Log your completed books, and earn a cosmically cool prize.
Post Date: Mon, August 9, 2021
Two hundred years ago, on August 10, 1821, Missouri officially became the 24th state. From this year’s Homegrown Stories Summer Reading Program and our Missouri Valley Special Collections to recommended reading and online events, the Kansas City Public Library has many ways to celebrate the Show-Me State’s bicentennial.
Post Date: Wed, June 3, 2020
As our community and our country lean into the conversations and responsive actions arising from the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, libraries are in a position to both serve and lead through their services, resources, and programs. The Kansas City Public Library looks to facilitate open-mindedness and receptiveness to a variety of viewpoints and experiences — including voices often unheard or overlooked. Here, we offer videos and/or audio recordings of several programs over the past two years that touched on or confronted pressing issues of race, inequity, and injustice.
