New Strategic Plan Furthers Library’s Legacy as a Community Anchor
New mission statement: The Kansas City Public Library cultivates connection through experiences that educate, empower, and celebrate our stories.
As Kansas City has grown and changed over the past century and a half, so has its Library. To meet the changing needs of its patrons, the institution has embraced innovation, honored local identity, and addressed emerging needs with intention and equity.
Now, after nearly a year of gathering input from a community-wide survey, consulting with 45 partners, community focus groups, and staff feedback, the Library has a new strategic plan to guide it through the changes of the coming decades.
“The new strategic plan reflects the hopes of our community, the dedication of our staff, and the foundational role our Library plays in Kansas City,” says Library Director and Chief Executive Abby Yellman.
The plan clearly articulates — and positions as anchoring principles — three priorities that the Library has cherished for decades. Those three points are: supporting all learners, fostering community pride, and facilitating inclusive experiences.
The Library will support all learners by nurturing a love of learning and building foundational skills that empower individuals at every stage of life. Through college and workforce preparation and by providing access to diverse books and technology, the Library will focus on fun, engaging, and accessible opportunities that support early literacy and lifelong education.
As a gathering place, the Library will foster community pride, bringing people together to highlight local culture, share community stories, collaborate, and strengthen civic connections. Each location provides a space to discuss local issues, history, and art to celebrate Kansas City’s heritage and encourage respectful dialogue.
The Library is for everyone and will facilitate inclusive experiences. Through consistent services, programs, and collections that reflect community needs, interests, and aspirations, the Library will create community belonging. Every location will curate resources to meet the unique interests of its neighborhood, while also providing welcoming spaces for all patrons.
For more than 150 years, the Library has served and connected the community. With the strategic plan as an anchor, the Library is secure in its legacy of neighborly, joyful, and inclusive service as it navigates both calm and churning waters.
“Our Library has always been a place for books, learning, and connection,” says Library Board of Trustees President Pete Browne. “This plan honors those traditions while charting a course for how we serve Kansas City in a changing world. With pride, optimism, and purpose, I invite you to join us on this journey.”