(Kansas City, Mo.) – Due to unprecedented demand, the Kansas City Public Library has changed the venue for the final event in its 150th anniversary speaker series. An Evening With Margaret Atwood features the highly decorated author of dozens of works, including The Handmaid’s Tale. This event will take place at Unity Temple on the Plaza. It remains free to the public but requires advance registration to secure a seat.

“The Kansas City Public Library is excited to move to a larger space to accommodate the high demand for our final 150th anniversary event with Margaret Atwood,” said Abby Yellman, Library director and chief executive. “Nearly 18 years ago, the Library launched its signature event series as a way of bringing people together to hold community conversations, provide opportunities for learning, foster discourse, and deepen understanding around important topics that are central to a thriving library system and community.”

Yellman added, “With this incredible outpouring of enthusiasm, we are thrilled to welcome as many people as possible to hear directly from Atwood on the themes that resonate throughout her work: libraries as bastions of knowledge, the importance of intellectual freedom, and the critical role of storytelling in preserving individual rights and freedoms. What better way to celebrate 150 years!”

Originally scheduled for Tuesday, September 24 at the downtown Central Library, patrons claimed all available tickets within 60 seconds; additional overflow seating was full within 10 minutes. The event will now be held on the same date at Unity Temple on the Plaza, which can accommodate three times the number of attendees. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the event will begin at 7 p.m. Parking is free to attendees on the sixth floor of the parking garage at 707-799 W. 47th St.

Attendees who already hold reservations for the event and overflow seating will be contacted with tickets for the new venue. Due to this change, the Library is no longer able to provide pre-event catering. Instead, all guests will receive a treat from Dutzel’s catering upon exiting. The event will still include music from The Wires and photo opportunities ahead of the program.

Attendees who currently hold reservations for the livestream will NOT be automatically given in-person tickets for Unity Temple; if they wish to attend in person, they should reserve tickets during the next public release.

Additional tickets will be available on Tuesday, September 17, at 3 p.m. at www.kclibrary.org/atwood.

Limited quantities of signed books and bookplates will be for sale at the event by Rainy Day Books. Attendees should be aware that the Library is not able to increase the number of signed books available and will not have enough to accommodate all the guests. Signed books will be limited to one per guest while supplies last.

The three previous speaker series events with Tommi Laitio, Jacqueline Woodson, and Ari Shapiro were incredible experiences for attendees. The Library is excited to expand this last event to bring an iconic author to as many patrons as possible.