Lately, schools and colleges everywhere in the United States have been discarding studies in the humanities as if they were idle luxuries and excess baggage, according to noted editor and author Lewis Lapham. He argues this policy is ill-advised.

A weekend of events celebrating the grand reopening of the Lucile H. Bluford Branch begins with a presentation at the Central Library by Guion Bluford, the nephew of civil rights pioneer Lucile Bluford, about his experiences as America's first black astronaut in space.

The Kansas City Public Library welcomes author Roderick Townley for a presentation based on his new book The Blue Shoe:  A Tale of Thievery, Villainy, Sorcery, and Shoes.