Stay up to date with current and future projects of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library.
Structural Assessent and Feasibility Report
Sapp Design Architects and their consulting team were tasked with performing a physical and functional assessment of the Main Library to develop options for how we could best provide a modern, community-focused library for current and future generations. Sapp presented a Structural Assessment and Feasibility Report to the Board of Education on October 28. A copy of that report is available on the district's website.
Next Steps
On October 28, 2025, the Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education approved demolition of the existing Main Library to build a new public library on the current site. The Board also approved using historic tax credits to rehabilitate another District-owned building, the former Parker Elementary School, which will be used for support services, Administration, and another public library branch.
After an architect is selected for the project, staff will work with them to begin design work. The community will be invited to give feedback on specific services they’d like to see. Updates will be shared on this page, on our social media and newsletter, and at the current Main Library.
Frequently Asked Questions
After an architect is selected, the chosen firm will work with staff to determine a timeline. The aim of the project is to have two phases: the Parker renovation and the demolition and new build of the Main Library. The Parker renovation will be scheduled first, with the Main library to follow. Once we have a more detailed project schedule and timeline, we will share it on this page and through social media.
The USD 500 Board of Education voted to demolish the current Main Library and rebuild on the same site. Library staff will explore options for providing library services to the downtown area during construction of the new Main building. More information on the plan for services to downtown will be shared on this page and through social media.
Main Library is the system’s oldest library building, and not much has changed with the building since it opened 60 years ago. Only the first floor was intended to be a public library, and it was designed to be a 1966 library – with shelves of reference books and rows of desks for silent reading. Modern libraries are hubs, offering technology and services to support the community. The current building is structurally sound, but as we look to expand services to fit the needs of our modern community, it is inflexible in its design and limits the services we can provide to the area.
In 2015, the USD 500 Board of Education approved adding 2 mills to the public library’s tax levy to save for updates to Main Library and other capital projects. Over time, the library accumulated enough to fund the project. In addition, the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library Foundation is planning a fundraising campaign to supplement the Library's capital fund during the project.