Kansas City, Kansas Public Library History
The Kansas legislature in 1893 passed a special act giving the Board of Education of Kansas City, Kansas authority to accept responsibility for administering the library. In 1899, the library came under the authority of the Board of Education and remains under it today. The original Carnegie library building was located at 625 Minnesota Ave., circa 1911. The cornerstone of the building was laid at night under new electric arc lights on September 6, 1902. More than 3,000 people turned out to witness the event.
Library Directors
Since 1895, 20 people have served as KCKPL's director or acted in the role of director. The following list represents those professionals.
| Director Name | Years of Service |
|---|---|
| Laura Hunt Pellegrino | 2024-Present |
| Carol Levers | 2010-2024 |
| 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 |
Articles about KCKPL's History
The following articles focus on KCKPL's history.
- Read the Then & Now Series article about the Library's history. Margaret Landis researched and wrote this article. Find the series online on our Documents & Articles page.
- Read the biography about Sarah Richart, know as the "Benefactor of the Library".
