Since 1895, 20 people have served as KCKPL's director or acted in the role of director. The following list represents those professionals.

• Carol Levers -- 2010-present
• Jason Strickland (acting - school district personnel) -- 2009-2010
• John Rios (acting - school district personnel) -- 2008-2009
• Charles Perdue -- 1988-2008
• Teresa Garrison (acting - library personnel) -- 1987-1988
• Raymond E. Riddle -- 1985-1987
• Teresa Garrison (acting - library personnel) -- 1984-1985
• Charles Joyce -- 1978-1984
• Carl Kent (acting - school district personnel) -- 1978-1978
• Esther Norman (acting - library personnel) -- 1978-1978
• Willard Dennis -- 1963-1978
• Esther Norman -- 1953-1963
• Gerald H. Sandy -- 1941-1953
• Donald Kohlstedt -- 1935-1941
• O.Q. Claflin (acting)
• Bertha McMann -- 1924-1932
• Sara Judd Greenman -- 1902-1924
• Mina Lane Fanin -- 1899-1902
• Mary Farrow -- 1897-1899
• Elizabeth Mae Dickinson -- 1895-1897

The following articles focus on KCKPL's history.

• Click here to read the Then & Now Series article about the Library's History. Margaret Landis researched and wrote this article. Find the series online by going here.
• Read bio about Sarah Richart, known as the "Benefactor of the Library".

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library's mascot is a lizard named RU Reading. The lizard originated from a cooperative project with the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools to promote reading. In support of USD 500's Just Read Program and to stimulate interest in reading, a contest was held by KCKPL to name the giant green book-loving lizard created by Main library staff member David Carleton. 6-year-old Shanna Martin won naming the lizard R.U. Reading. The happy green lizard has graced KCKPL in the form of posters, stickers, tote bags, t-shirts, library cards, keychains, coloring pages, beanie babies, and even a human-sized costume. RU Reading has become a beloved personality in the community appearing at school, civic and library events to promote the public library and reading.

RU Coloring Pages

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library has had many iterations over the years of logos to represent the library.

The following are photos of Kansas City, Kansas Public Library facilities throughout its history.

• Argentine Branch Library
• Bookmobiles
• Downtown Carnegie Library

Argentine Branch Library
The Argentine Library closed in 2012 with the opening of the then new South Branch Library.

Bookmobiles
Prior to our current fleet of three Mobile Libraries, KCKPL had various bookmobiles in the past. Below are images of these retro libraries on wheels.

Downtown Carnegie Library
The original library located near where the Main Library is located, which is at 625 Minnesota Ave. The Carnegie Library was razed in 1965 to make room for a parking lot for the current library.