Coronavirus Library News
Tuesday, October 27, 2020 - 7:31am
The Kansas City Public Library is piloting a new service at our Plaza location that allows families to safely browse through its collection and access computers in the Kid Corner. Learn more about how it works and how to make an appointment.
Tuesday, October 27, 2020 - 7:15am
Patrons now can reserve private or distanced work areas – computer-equipped Community Connections Rooms and wireless-connected Study Spots – in select Library locations where they can safely engage in such essential activities as job interviews, telehealth visits, and study sessions. Or they can simply catch up with family or friends. Explore these and all the Library's by-appointment services at kclibrary.org/appointments.
Tuesday, September 15, 2020 - 10:04am
A library card unlocks more than just the ability to borrow books – it’s a key to information, opportunity, and enrichment. It lets you borrow items from our catalog that you can read, watch, or listen to, but your library card also gives you access to news resources, job and career tools, learning and education services, skillbuilding apps, streaming and on-demand entertainment, and so much more... all for free.
Thursday, September 10, 2020 - 1:32pm
The start of the 2020 school year finds parents, educators, and students in new territory due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As always, the Library offers a variety of free educational resources for everything from homework help to online learning. This year, amid the challenges of the coronavirus outbreak, we’ve also launched new programs and expanded access to existing services aimed at helping our community. See what our Youth & Family Engagement team recommends.
Wednesday, September 2, 2020 - 10:04am
The Library is introducing a new Internet to Go service that makes 100 Wi-Fi hotspots available to cardholders for free, 14-day checkouts. It’s an effort to bridge the digital divide at a time when the internet is more important than ever, but access has become even more limited. Learn more about this new service.
Tuesday, July 21, 2020 - 2:50pm
Patrons welcome the return of public computer sessions – along with fax and printing services – as the Kansas City Public Library continues to work to bridge the digital divide. Read more about how we are safely providing crucial connectivity to the communities we serve.
Monday, July 20, 2020 - 5:27pm
The Missouri Valley Room in the Central Library is now accepting appointments for visitors to conduct special collections research. Learn more about the guidelines and how to schedule a session.
Saturday, July 11, 2020 - 11:40am
If you've been participating in the Library's 2020 Summer Reading Program, LIVE THE FANTASTIC, and you were racing to finish your books before the deadline, we've got great news for you: the Library just added another month's worth of bookish bandwith, giving you extra time to read, record your books, and earn prizes! We know everyone has a lot going on this summer (to put it mildly), so we've extended our Summer Reading program through August 31, 2020.
Thursday, July 9, 2020 - 10:22am
The Kansas City Public Library now offers computer access by appointment at four of its locations. This is part of the continued effort to give patrons access to Library resources after being closed for four months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Patrons can sign up online, over the phone, or at their preferred Library location to use computers at several locations. Learn more about the appointment service.
Tuesday, July 7, 2020 - 12:41pm
From our Pop In / Pick Up holds service to restoring access to public computers and related services, the Library puts the emphasis on safety as we reintroduce core services. Take a look behind the scenes as we continue to plot a path to re-opening.
Friday, June 5, 2020 - 5:31pm
In an effort to extend summer learning opportunities to more area families, the Kansas City Public Library is partnering with Kansas City Parks and Recreation on Pop In at the Park. The program, which connects families and individuals to the Library's 2020 Summer Reading Program, runs through July and is part of a continued effort to reach the community while physical Library locations are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Library staff will be at pop-up booths Tuesdays through Fridays, from 10 a.m. until noon, in parks throughout the city to help sign people up for its Summer Reading Program.
Wednesday, May 27, 2020 - 10:13am
Kids Café returns Monday, June 1, 2020, providing nutritious after-school and summer meals and allowing Library staff to reconnect with youth at our Southeast, Trails West, Waldo, and L.H. Bluford branches. Learn more about the Library’s efforts to bridge the nutrition gap.
Tuesday, May 19, 2020 - 8:46pm
The Library’s Pop In / Pick Up holds service began Tuesday. May 19, 2020. Patrons were able to begin retrieving holds that were placed prior to March 15, when the Library’s physical locations closed. See how things went and learn what’s next.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020 - 3:00pm
Beginning Tuesday, May 19, 2020, the Library initiates a phased-in reintroduction of some services and operations. We begin with a new Pop In/Pick Up contact-free holds service, allowing patrons to pick up holds at five locations during designated hours, expanding to others in the coming weeks. But anxious as we are – and know that you are, too – we will remain cautious and deliberate. Read more about what our next steps are.
Follow updates at kclibrary.org/coronavirus. You can also find additional information at kclibrary.org/covid19resources.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020 - 2:50pm
The Kansas City Public Library recently partnered with Swope Health to expand COVID-19 testing, providing tests at no charge to anyone who is exhibiting coronavirus symptoms, has come in contact with someone who tested positive for the virus, or is in a group at risk of experiencing more severe symptoms.