Information about Kansas City, Kansas Public Library
- Mission, Vision & Values
- Library Administration Contacts
- Library Closings
- Working at the Library
- Volunteering at the Library
- Rules of Conduct
- Children at the Library
- Library Governance
- Library Foundation
- Donating to the Library
Mission, Vision & Values
The Kansas City, Kansas Public Library adopted a new Strategic Plan starting with the 2017/2018 Fiscal Year. In this plan, the Library continues and enhances its Vision and Mission along with its Values.
Vision: Leading the way in Reading, Information, and Culture.
Mission: Connecting members of our dynamic community with information, tools, resources, and welcoming spaces to enrich their lives.
To meet our mission and vision, KCKPL and its staff will embrace and focus on the following core values, which include working goals.
Excellence in Public Services
Be a one million-circulation Library.Create a master facilities plan.
Increase access to technology to support patron experience in the Library.
Increase services to people who can't come to the Library.
Community Partnership
Develop community partnerships in defined areas.Embracing Diversity
Demographics of Wyandotte County reflected in allocation of resources.Intellectual Freedom & Patrons Privacy
Increase access to Library resources for more groups.Increase patron privacy options for patrons.
Valuing and Empowering Employees
Increase technical support for day-to-day service providers.One hundred percent of staff will participate in job specific training annually.
Library Administration Contacts
KCKPL Administration and Staff Members can be reached by calling 913.295.8250 and then dialing the extension of the staff member or using the directory. The following extensions can get you to a Library Branch or Library Administration.
Press 1 for Main Library
Press 2 for Schlagle Library
Press 3 for South Branch Library
Press 4 for Turner Community Library
Press 5 for West Wyandotte Library
Press 6 for Library Administration
Press 7 for a Directory by Name
Dial 6500 for Mobile Library Voice Mailbox
Click or scroll through the contacts below to see our Administrative Staff.
Library Closings
All locations of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library will close on the following dates.
July 3-4, 2020 - Independence Day
September 7, 2020 - Labor Day
November 12, 2020 - Staff Inservice Day
November 25-27, 2020 - Thanksgiving Holiday
December 24-29, 2020 - Winter Holiday
December 31, 2020-January 1, 2021 - New Year's Holiday
January 18, 2021 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 15, 2021 - President's Day
April 4, 2021 - Spring Holiday
April 20, 2021 - Staff Inservice Day
May 31, 2021 - Memorial Day
Working at the Library
To learn more about working at the KCKPL and view current openings, click here.
Volunteering at the Library
KCKPL offers volunteer opportunities for young adults (high school age and older) and adults. Volunteer jobs generally require a minimum commitment of 20 hours, but exceptions are made for school projects and special events. Volunteers help with a variety of activities including:
Shelving materials
Assisting with children's programs
Straightening up around the library
Assorted other jobs
Download a PDF of the Volunteer Application by clicking here.
Rules of Conduct
The purpose of the library is to provide materials and services in a welcoming, safe, environment. In order to provide an appropriate environment, KCKPL has Code of Conduct that is in effect at all times. KCKPL asks Patrons to follow the instructions of library staff and law enforcement officers (LEOs). Staff will ask anyone violating the Code of Conduct to leave the building. Depending on the severity of the infraction, library administration may ban a person from the library and, possibly, file charges.
To review the Code of Conduct, click here.
Children at the Library
The library is a great place for families to learn and have fun, but the library does not offer childcare. KCKPL asks parents to watch their children and keep them safe and well behaved while in the library.
Anyone using the public library that does not follow the library’s rules or ignores staff instructions may be asked to leave the library.
Libraries are large places, open to the public. Due to the multiple demands on library staff, they cannot attend to the location of children and assure their safety. Please keep a close watch on your children when they are in the library.
Library Governance
The Kansas City, Kansas Public Library is governed by the Board of Education of Unified School District #500. The board consists of seven members elected by the citizens of USD #500. Click here for more about the Board of Education.
KCKPL also receives a portion of its funding from the Wyandotte County Library Board. This board consists of 11 (eleven) members that are appointed by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County Commissioners. The County Library Board has the authority to set the County Library Tax Levy. Click here to see the current members of the library board.
Library Foundation
The Kansas City, Kansas Public Library Foundation (KCK Public Library Foundation) is an independent, community-based nonprofit organization whose purpose is to raise private money to enrich services and expand the reach of our publicly supported library system. A far-sighted and generous gift from the Marguerite Lubratovic Estate in 2007 established the foundation. More information can be found about the Foundation by going here or to the organization's website.
Donating to the Library
Individual Giving
Memorials: A gift to the KCK Library Foundation in memory of a family member or friend is a special way to express the value both you and your honoree place in lifelong learning and the library. If you choose, a notice of your gift will be sent to a family member of someone else close to the individual being honored. The amount of your gift will be kept confidential; you will receive a confirmation and an acknowledgement that your gift has been received and a notice sent.
Other Gift Options
Donors who wish to help build the collections are encouraged to consult with Library staff about titles that are needed and desired. Donations of substantial worth, such as rare books or special editions, significant personal library collections, art objects or equipment should be arranged through the Director of Libraries.
For other options, please review this PDF document. If you are interested in making a gift to the KCK Public Library Foundation, click here for a PDF form.