(Kansas City, Mo.) - The Kansas City Public Library is unveiling plans to more fully reopen its locations to the public on Tuesday, June 1.

The Library temporarily closed its physical locations amid a citywide shutdown in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has since reopened most locations, allowing limited public access while reintroducing or reimagining a number of services. Its focus has been, and remains, on the health and safety of both patrons and staff. Starting June 1, patrons will be able to return to their favorite Library location to enjoy many more of the services they’ve missed, including browsing the collection of books and other materials and signing up to use computers without making appointments ahead of time.

The opening of one location, Trails West, will be delayed several weeks as it is undergoing interior renovations.

Visitors will still be required to wear masks inside all buildings in accordance with CDC recommendations, and food and drink will not be allowed to assure masks stay on. The Library is still reassessing how to reintroduce some services, like meeting and study room rentals and indoor in-person events.

Pop In / Pick Up, the Library’s holds pickup service, will return to the Library’s original holds pickup format ahead of the reopening. Starting Monday, May 17, patrons will be able to walk into their preferred Library location and pick up their holds without having to text or call first.

Media partners are invited to speak with Library staff on June 1 about some of the ways the COVID pandemic has changed operations and the new services that are being implemented for Library cardholders. More details on that media opportunity will come soon. For more information about the Library’s reopening schedule, visit the Library’s website.