The north side of the Central Library’s third floor – an area that once housed a reference desk and row after row of books – has just reopened as the 3North Resource Center.

Thanks to community support of property tax-based levy funding, the Library is now able to offer a range of new services to its patrons in the dynamic new space, including an additional meeting room, staff workstations, and offices. 

“With the increase of the Library’s mill levy in 2018, we committed to funding improvements throughout our system, including at the Central Library, that would provide safer, more comfortable spaces and direct service support in this historic space,” says Joel Jones, deputy director for Library services.

Patrons can now find the Community Resources team on the third floor. This team of social workers and community resource specialists helps patrons connect with local social service agencies; fill out forms for utility or rent assistance; locate free meals, food pantries, clothes, and showers; find medical and dental services; and apply for vital documents.

The Coffee and Conversation series, which helps direct people experiencing life challenges to everyday and emergency resources, will also move to the 3North Resource Center.

The new space will deepen the level of patron engagement through programming including games and jigsaw puzzles, film screenings, and educational events. Upcoming speakers include representatives from the KC Care Health Center (on Medicaid applications), the City of Kansas City Housing and Community Development (on winter shelter plans), and Neighbor2Neighbor (on referrals to drug treatment and housing programs).

Also find assistance to drop-in job seekers as well as regular drop-in sessions for digital literacy training, tech troubleshooting services for adults, various tech classes, and one-on-one tech appointments.

The remodel enables Library’s Digital Corps to better provide individual support to patrons for longer periods of time. Additionally, they will begin providing tech training classes in 2024 as an expansion of Tech Access’ existing programs.

“The 3North Resource Center renovations provide a permanent space for our services, collaborating with community partners,” Jones says, “adding more meeting room locations, and enhancing spaces for people to work, gather, and engage.”