Kansas City Public Library Appoints New Trails West and Sugar Creek Branch Manager

(Kansas City, Mo.) – The Kansas City Public Library is pleased to announce Kim Angotti as the new branch manager for the Trails West and Sugar Creek branch locations. The previous branch manager, Ruth Stephens, retired in 2025 after 22 years of service with the Library. 

Over 10 years ago, Kim joined the Library to organize the newly created Youth & Family Engagement (YFE) department. As YFE’s operations & program manager, among her many accomplishments, she built the team, developed new organizational structures, managed budgets, organized the City School Fair in partnership with Show Me KC Schools, and supervised the Library’s Summer Reading Program, which continues to break participation records each year.

“Kim is wonderful for this leadership position not only because of her collaborative reputation, but because she grew up and lives in the neighborhood. She’s seen how it has changed over the years and knows the potential of our Trails West and Sugar Creek branches. We’re so excited for the new chapter with her!” said Kim Gile, branch services and engagement director.

Located in western Independence, the Trails West Branch opened in 1989. This location hosts popular weekly storytimes for families, tabletop gaming for teens, and Adult Recess for grown-ups. A suggestion from a public contest, Trails West is named for the three trails — Santa Fe, California, and Oregon — that passed through the area in the 1800s. 

The Sugar Creek Branch has the Library’s smallest physical footprint and opened in 1996 at the request of the community. The branch now serves seniors at nearby community centers, and its public computers are popular with teen and adult job seekers. The branch also offers basic post office services such as stamp sales and package mailing.

Kim Angotti will be joined at both locations by Assistant Branch Manager Kadie Elmore, who started in November. Kadie previously served as a public safety officer for the Library. 

“I am so excited to be joining the great teams already in place at the Trails West and Sugar Creek branches!” said Kim. “They do an amazing job serving the public, and as branch manager, I want to get to know the communities so we can add new programs based on their needs and interests. I'm looking forward to developing partnerships to create even more opportunities for community engagement.” 

Kim and Kadie look forward to meeting you soon.