North-East Branch Undergoing Renovations Through 2020
Thursday, December 19, 2019
A new chapter is beginning for the Library’s North-East Branch.
A complete renovation and redesign of the location will require the North-East Branch to TEMPORARILY RELOCATE beginning the week of December 16, 2019. A temporary space directly across the street at 5930 Wilson Rd. in the Northeast Plaza Shopping Center will house many of the location’s materials during the process, which is expected to last through late 2020.
Visitors should be aware that while some services and resources will still be accessible in the temporary space, others will be limited or unavailable. Operating hours remain the same for North-East’s temporary site (view location information). Here’s what to know:
Materials/Services Available in the Temporary Space:
Limited/Unavailable During Renovations:
Renovations planned for North-East Branch include a number of upgrades that will better serve the neighborhood and the diverse array of patrons who rely on the Library for access to key services, resources, and materials. Among the planned improvements:
Concept rendering of northeast corner of the location.
A refreshed North-East Branch is just one of the many projects that are part of the Library’s Next Chapter. Learn more about what’s happening across the Kansas City Public Library system at kclibrary.org/nextchapter.
LIBRARY'S NEXT CHAPTER
Read more about the project in this feature from the Northeast News >
In October 2019, a series of community engagements were held with Northeast neighborhood stakeholders, including educators, members of the business community, neighborhood leaders, teens who frequently visit the North-East Branch, and organizations that serve the immigrant and refugee community. Much of the feedback from those sessions has been incorporated into the design process.
Visualization of the main space in the interior area.
Inside, patrons will see new furniture, shelving, and tables, while staff will have better work areas. Meeting rooms and event spaces will be expanded and upgraded to accommodate the growing need for community meetings in the Northeast. The spaces will be larger and more flexible, able to host groups as small as a dozen or as large as 150. New audio-visual technology will also be part of the upgrades.
Renovations will also include new roofing and updates to the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems. Landscaping around the grounds will be refreshed, and access to the parking lot will be reworked and improved.
A complete renovation and redesign of the location will require the North-East Branch to TEMPORARILY RELOCATE beginning the week of December 16, 2019. A temporary space directly across the street at 5930 Wilson Rd. in the Northeast Plaza Shopping Center will house many of the location’s materials during the process, which is expected to last through late 2020.
Visitors should be aware that while some services and resources will still be accessible in the temporary space, others will be limited or unavailable. Operating hours remain the same for North-East’s temporary site (view location information). Here’s what to know:
Materials/Services Available in the Temporary Space:
• Books, CDs, DVDs; however, the on-site collection will be smaller.
• Patrons can continue to place holds on items and have them sent to the North-East Branch temporary space for pick-up.
• The village post office (including sales of postage stamps and access to post office boxes)
• Eight public computers with access to a public scan/fax and photocopy kiosk.
• Youth story times
• Kids Café
• Patrons can continue to place holds on items and have them sent to the North-East Branch temporary space for pick-up.
• The village post office (including sales of postage stamps and access to post office boxes)
• Eight public computers with access to a public scan/fax and photocopy kiosk.
• Youth story times
• Kids Café
Limited/Unavailable During Renovations:
• Reduced programs, classes, or activities at the temporary site due to space constraints.
• No public meeting rooms available for reservation.
• No private study rooms.
• Limited public power outlets for patron phones, tablets, and electronic devices.
• No public meeting rooms available for reservation.
• No private study rooms.
• Limited public power outlets for patron phones, tablets, and electronic devices.
Renovations planned for North-East Branch include a number of upgrades that will better serve the neighborhood and the diverse array of patrons who rely on the Library for access to key services, resources, and materials. Among the planned improvements:
• Renovated interior and exterior.
• Upgraded technology.
• New and engaging children and teen areas.
• New children's programming space.
• New home for the Library’s refugee and immigrant services.
• More foreign-language books and materials.
• Improved study rooms, collaboration spaces, and meeting rooms.
• New furniture, shelving, tables and staff areas.
• Fresh landscaping and improved parking lot access.
• Physical facility updates: mechanical, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, roofing.
• Upgraded technology.
• New and engaging children and teen areas.
• New children's programming space.
• New home for the Library’s refugee and immigrant services.
• More foreign-language books and materials.
• Improved study rooms, collaboration spaces, and meeting rooms.
• New furniture, shelving, tables and staff areas.
• Fresh landscaping and improved parking lot access.
• Physical facility updates: mechanical, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, roofing.
Concept rendering of northeast corner of the location.
Welcome desk rendering.
A refreshed North-East Branch is just one of the many projects that are part of the Library’s Next Chapter. Learn more about what’s happening across the Kansas City Public Library system at kclibrary.org/nextchapter.
LIBRARY'S NEXT CHAPTER
Read more about the project in this feature from the Northeast News >
Exciting Changes are Coming to the Northeast Neighborhood
About the Location
The North-East Branch opened in 1989 and combined the public libraries previously housed at Northeast High School and East High School – which is why its name uses North-East with a hyphen instead of one word. The location anchors a highly diverse Kansas City neighborhood brimming with immigrants and families – many with young children and teens. It serves as a community center for the area and a meeting place for various neighborhood organizations.In October 2019, a series of community engagements were held with Northeast neighborhood stakeholders, including educators, members of the business community, neighborhood leaders, teens who frequently visit the North-East Branch, and organizations that serve the immigrant and refugee community. Much of the feedback from those sessions has been incorporated into the design process.
Visualization of the main space in the interior area.
New and improved rooms for meeting and activities.
Serving Refugees and Immigrants
The new North-East Branch will provide a new permanent home for the Library’s Refugee and Immigrant Services and Empowerment program (RISE). Relocating RISE staff to the Northeast area will allow them be at the center of Kansas City’s immigrant community; in addition to offices, they will have a classroom space dedicated to activities such as citizenship test preparation and language classes.Better Spaces to Gather
The new building will include 30 public computers, re-imagined teen and children’s spaces, new re-located public restrooms, a family restroom in the children’s area, and an area for the North-East Branch’s village post office.Inside, patrons will see new furniture, shelving, and tables, while staff will have better work areas. Meeting rooms and event spaces will be expanded and upgraded to accommodate the growing need for community meetings in the Northeast. The spaces will be larger and more flexible, able to host groups as small as a dozen or as large as 150. New audio-visual technology will also be part of the upgrades.
Renovations will also include new roofing and updates to the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems. Landscaping around the grounds will be refreshed, and access to the parking lot will be reworked and improved.