KCKPL's Main Library

The History & Future
of Kansas City, Kansas Public Library's
Downtown Location

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"It (the library) is the heart of the cultural unit of this community."

- Kansas City Kansas Public Schools Superintendent F.L. Schlagle (1932-1962)

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The Beginning (1870-1900)

Minnesota Ave.

Historic Photograph of 542 Minnesota Avenue

Sarah Richart

Sarah Richart, local dog catcher donated her earnings to fund the library

Minn. Ave. at 5th looking East

Minn. Ave. at 5th looking East

Emily Dickinson

First Librarian - Miss Elizabeth Dickinson

Minn. Ave. at 5th looking East

Minnesota Ave.

Minn. Ave. at 5th looking East

Minnesota Ave.

Minn. Ave. at 5th looking East

Minnesota Ave.

Carnegie Library (1901-1957)

Carnegie Exterior from East

View of Carnegie from the East

Carnegie Stereoscopes

Children using stereoscopes at library

Carnegie Exterior from North

View of Carnegie from the North

Carnegie Interior Circulation Desk

Carnegie Interior Circulation Desk

Carnegie Interior Circulation Desk

Carnegie Interior Circulation Desk

Carnegie Interior Circulation Desk

Carnegie Interior Circulation Desk

Carnegie Interior Display

Carnegie Interior Display

Carnegie Interior Lobby

Carnegie Interior Lobby

Carnegie Interior Lobby

Carnegie Interior Lobby

Carnegie Interior Lobby

Carnegie Interior Lobby

Carnegie Interior Reference Room

Carnegie Interior Reference Room

Carnegie Interior Youth Services

Carnegie Interior Youth Services

Carnegie Interior Youth Services

Carnegie Interior Youth Services

Carnegie Interior Youth Services

Carnegie Interior Youth Services

Carnegie Interior Youth Services

Carnegie Interior Youth Services

Carnegie Interior YS Display

Carnegie Interior YS Display

Carnegie Interior YS Display

Carnegie Interior YS Display

Carnegie Librarians

Carnegie Librarians

Librarian Florence Sheppard

Librarian Florence Sheppard

Carnegie Bust

Carnegie Bust

Carnegie Library

Carnegie Library Postcard 1

Carnegie Library

Carnegie Library Postcard 2

Carnegie Library

Carnegie Library Postcard 3

Carnegie Librarians

Carnegie Librarians

Carnegie Library

Carnegie Library Postcard 4

Carnegie Library

Carnegie Library Postcard 5

Carnegie Library

Carnegie Library Postcard 6

Carnegie Library

Carnegie Library Postcard 7

Carnegie Library

Carnegie Library Postcard 8

Huron Park

Huron Park

Rose Garden

Rose Garden

South View of Library

South View of Library

1904 photo of the Downtown Carnegie Library

1904 photo of the Downtown Carnegie Library

1960 photo of the Downtown Carnegie Library

1960 photo of the Downtown Carnegie Library

Aerial photo of Minnesota Ave.

Aerial photo of Minnesota Ave.

Northeast View of Library</

Front view of Library

Side view of Library

Side view of Library

Carnegie Library viewed from the South

Carnegie Library viewed from the South

Rose Garden leading to Library

Rose Garden leading to Library

Library Lobby

Library Lobby

Front Desk

Front Desk

Reading in the Stacks

Reading in the Stacks

Children Studying

Children Studying

Auditorium

Auditorium

Technical Services area used to process materials

Technical Services area used to process materials

Second Floor

Second Floor

Current Main Building

Aerial view of Main

Aerial view of Main

Art Dept.

Art Dept.

BOE

Board of Education

Circulation Dept.

Circulation Dept.

Children's Dept.

Children's Dept.

Front Area

Front Area

Reference Area

Reference Area

School Administration

School Administration

Bookcart

Bookcart

Columns

Columns

Demolition

Demolition

First Checkout

First Checkout

Headphones

Headphones

Kids

Kids

Librarians

Librarians

Magnolias outside

Magnolias outside

Inside Mural

Inside Mural

New Shelves

New Shelves

Main Drawing 1st floor

Main Drawing 1st floor

Main Drawing 2nd floor

Main Drawing 2nd floor

Main Drawing 3rd floor

Main Drawing 3rd floor

Aerial View

Aerial View

Researching

Researching

Construction

Construction

Construction talks

Construction talks

Kansas Room Librarians

Kansas Room Librarians

Removing card catalog

Removing card catalog

New Children's Dept.

New Children's Dept.

New Children's Dept.

New Children's Dept.

Main Interior

Main Interior

Main Exterior

Main Exterior

Main Exterior

Main Exterior

Provide Feedback

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library has completed feedback sessions and surveys at this time. Thank you for your interest.

Please note that KCKPL's Copyright, Disclaimer and Credits for the Kansas Collection apply to the information, images and articles on this page.