Welcome back to a new and refreshed Trails West Branch! After temporarily closing for repairs and upgrades in late May, the location reopened its doors to the public on June 14.

Branch manager Ruth Stephens is ready to invite patrons back inside the building and use the Library. "We are super excited to welcome our Independence community back into our facility to show off our new look, just in time for Summer Reading!" Stephens said.

"When our patrons enter our refreshed space they will be greeted with new carpet, a new open floor plan, additional electrical outlets for patron devices, newly arranged public computer spaces, and lots of new books, movies, magazines and a whole lot more!"

One Trails West patron commented that she'd paid a vist after the reopening to help her grandkids sign up for the Library's Summer Reading Program. "Haven’t been since the pandemic began, and the remodel is so nice!" she said. "So good to be able to browse for some fun summer reading again."

• New carpet. 
• New collaboration areas.
• Reorganized public spaces.
• A refreshed collection.
• Building and parking lot repairs completed.

• Enjoy in-person browsing.
• Use public computers without appointments.
• Sit, relax, and read in public areas.
• Kids Café to-go meals currently provided outside at dedicated stations.
• Apply for a passport.

Kansas City Public Library buildings are open! Learn more >  

Fax and scan machines have been relocated closer to the entrance for easier and quicker patron service.

 

The Teen Space includes computers dedicated for teen use only.

The children's area is open and ready for young readers.

 

The updated interior layout is more open and spacious.

Branch Manager Ruth Stephens sat down with the Independence Examiner to discuss the new improvements at Trails West and the Library's Summer Reading Program. Watch Facebook Live video here >

These improvements were made possible in large part by voters’ approval of the Library Question levy increase in November 2018.