Mid-Continent Public Library System
With two library branches and the opening of the Mid-Continent Public Library’s new Midwest Genealogy Center, Independence citizens can easily satisfy their library cravings.
The Midwest Genealogy Center at the intersection of Lee’s Summit and Kiger Roads replaced the library’s genealogy branch at 317 W. U.S. 24. The center cost $8 million to construct. With 52,000 square feet of space spread over two levels, it is more than four times larger than the former branch.
The center houses numerous collections and databases useful in genealogical research. These records include newspaper archives, tax records, land sales, military records and census indexes. The center is prepared for visitors to spend the entire day researching their family history with lockers, a break area and limited food service.
The Mid-Continent Public Libraries also operates a North Independence branch and a South Independence branch. Both branches offer a collection of books, compact discs, audio books on cassette, videos in VHS and DVD format, maps and microfilms.
The North Independence branch is the primary reference collection for all branches in the Mid-Continent Public Library system. The branch also holds a historical backlog of several periodicals.
On the second Wednesday of every month, the branch hosts Discovery Club for children 7 to 12 years old.
Preschool story time for children 3 to 5 years old is offered every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m.
Every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., the branch hosts toddler story time.
The branch also hosts several special events for adults, teens and families.
The branch also hosts a book club, which meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. For more information about the book club, contact the branch at 816-252-0950.
The South Independence branch offers several programs for patrons of all ages.
The branch hosts family story times every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and every Thursday at 10 a.m. where whole families can enjoy stories, finger plays and activities.
On Wednesdays at 10 a.m., the branch hosts toddler story time for children age 18 to 36 months. There are also frequent special events for teens and families.
The branch also has three book clubs, which meet the first Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m., the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. and the last Monday of the month at 2 p.m. For information about book clubs, call the branch at 816-461-2050.
Anyone who lives, works, owns property or attends school within Clay, Platte and Jackson County except the Kansas City School District and the municipality of North Kansas City is eligible for a free Mid-Continent Public Library card.
The Mid-Continent Public Libraries system offers two summer reading programs that run through Aug. 16. Children up to fifth grade age our encouraged to participate in “Catching the Reading Bug @ Your Library.” Children who read or listen to 10 juvenile books or 20 picture books will be rewarded with a paperback book. Children can complete this task five times to get five paperbacks, or on their fifth completion can substitute a special prize.
The summer reading program for teens is called “Metamorphosis @ Your Library” and is open to sixth grade through twelfth grade students. Teens set their own reading goals, and after completion of the goal, are rewarded a paperback books. Teens may complete their goal five times and on the fifth occasion could choose to take a special prize, instead of a paperback book.
The South Independence branch is at 13700 E. 35th St. and the North Independence branch is at 317 W. U.S. 24. Both branches are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. To find a complete list of upcoming activities at either branch, visit www.mcpl.lib.mo.us.
Kansas City Public Library
The Kansas City Public Library operates the Trails West branch at 11401 E. 23rd St. and the Sugar Creek branch at 102 S. Sterling.
High-speed wireless Internet is available at all locations of the Kansas City Public Library. Trails West also has two meeting rooms available for rental.
Trails West has a collection of books, audio books, music CDs, and VHS and DVD videos. There are two children’s story times every week. Toddler story time is on Fridays at 11 a.m. Preschool story time is every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. The library also hosts one or two young adult programs every week.
This summer Trails West also offers a summer reading program. For every three hours a child reads, he or she will receive a small prize, and after 12 hours, the child will receive a free book. The program is insect-themed, so every week this summer, the branch will host a bug-related event.
Trails West also hosts a book club that meets on the third Saturday of every month. For more information, call the branch at 816-701-3483.
Sugar Creek has a collection of audio books, videos on DVD, CDs, newspapers and magazines. The branch also hosts several community events and programs.
The branch holds several adult computer classes focusing on topics from how to set up an e-mail account to using Microsoft Excel.
On the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m., the branch hosts the Sugar Creek Film Festival, where it screens a film and offers free refreshments.
Every Thursday at 2 p.m. this summer, the branch hosts summer reading story hours. Also in conjunction with the bug-themed summer reading program, the branch will screen several bug movies.
The branch also hosts two book clubs, meeting on the third Monday of the month and the fourth Friday of the month. For more information, contact the branch.
For more information about the branch, call 816-701-3489 or visit www.kclibrary.org.
Any Kansas or Missouri resident is eligible for a free Kansas City Public Library card.
The Trails West branch is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Sugar Creek branch is open Noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. For complete programming information on either branch or for more information about the library, contact the branches or visit the Kansas City Public Library system’s Web site, www.kclibrary.org.
