Kansas City Public Library

For too long, and in particular since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have witnessed acts of senseless, shameless violence against our nation’s Asian and Asian American community. #StopAsianHate

With the resurgence of interest in new books comes the pressure on designers to really push the boundaries in new and engaging ways. Publishers, authors, bloggers and designers have been taking to online platforms like Twitter, Instagram and TikTok to share new eye-catching covers."

We'd like to welcome baby Bennett Lucas -- Mayor Quinton Lucas and Katherine Carttar's first born. We can't wait to give him his first library card and hope to see him and Sterling Mahomes at storytime! In the meantime here are some books for Bennett: https://bit.ly/3aqj1Xt

Look at this fabulous map on independent bookstores in the Midwest by Midwest Booksellers Association. Wishing a happy #IndieBookstoreDay to all the fabulous local indies including Rainy Day Books, Raven Book Store, Afterword Tavern & Shelves, Bliss Books & Wine, Wiseblood Books, Aya Coffee and Books, The Green Door Book Store & Gift Shoppe, Prospero's Books and more! Explore the map: https://www.midwestbooksellers.org/shopping-guide.html

The latest pick of the Library's FYI Book Group with The Kansas City Star is Hanif Abdurraqib's new book A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance. Read our interview with the author and learn more about the upcoming book discussion: https://bit.ly/3ncRmi5

Check out hoopla digital's latest book club selection! "Inspired by the life of one of the first Black female doctors in the United States and rich with historical detail, Kaitlyn Greenidge’s new and immersive novel will resonate with readers eager to understand our present through a deep, moving, and lyrical dive into our complicated past."

In partnership with The Library of America and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library, this Wednesday night's program, "The Enduring Power of Langston Hughes" will feature Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture director Kevin Young, The University of Kansas professor John Edgar Tidwell and others.

Whether in-person or online, if you come to a Library event, Leslie Case is behind the scenes making sure the sound and other technical details run smoothly. Learn more about Leslie on our blog.

Lucy Terry Prince's 'Bars Fight', c.1746 is the first recorded poem by an African American. Explore the early history of African American poetry through the major poets of the 19th century, with our African American Poetry online database: https://bit.ly/2Ry3IVZ #NationalPoetryMonth

Any Christie fans willing to go in on this together?

The unprecedented events in our nation’s capitol on January 6, 2021 make clear the importance of reliable information and reporting. Your library card unlocks free access to journalism from local, national, and international sources.

On the 6th day of Digital Resources My Library gave to me: Six Reese a-streaming FIVE OLD THINGS! Four Albums by The Byrds... Three French Chicken Recipes Two Turtle docs And a Partridge on Libby! hoopla digital has tons of movies, including these starring Reese Witherspoon. Get started with your library card: http://bit.ly/35R1aY1

Got a question about Kansas City's past, present or future? Our KC Q series with The Kansas City Star investigates your questions about our region. See what we've answered so far, and share your questions

Join us January 11, for our MLK Day of Service Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon when attendees will help create and edit Wikipedia pages for local, historic black leaders in activism, politics, arts, and culture. Leading up to the event we're celebrating a different Black Kansas Citian each week! First up, Florynce "Flo" Kennedy was born in 1916 in Kansas City as the second of five daughters. During her childhood, she recalled the courage of her parents to disperse the local KKK trying... to force her family out of their home. Kennedy eventually went on to graduate at the top of her class from Lincoln High School. Later, after the death of her mother in 1942, she left Kansas City for New York City. After initially being denied admission from Columbia School of Law, she was later admitted in 1944 after threatening to sue the school, becoming one of the first black women to graduate from there. During her law career, she represented black liberation leaders like H. Rap Brown as well as members of the Black Panther Party. She also legally protected the estates of Billie Holiday and Charlie Parker against record companies that had withheld royalties. As an activist, Kennedy was involved with a myriad of feminist, black liberation, and antiwar groups and campaigns. Kennedy consistently tried to unite the feminist and black power movements, working with Betty Friedan and the National Organization for Women (NOW). She also helped galvanize national debates around abortion, racism in the media, and consumer protection. In 1973, she would go on to co-found the National Black Feminist Organization. Florynce Kennedy continued her activism work until her death in 2000. A prolific force, she never acquiesced to harassment or discrimination. She will always be remembered for her cowboy hat, pink sunglasses, and her fiery self-determination. RSVP for the event: https://bit.ly/3nwbVFa

The latest issue of the Kansas City Public Library - Central Youth Services Zine is packed with new books, interesting facts, and jokes about owls and spaghetti. There's also an excellent poem about painting a donkey. Download, print and enjoy your copy!

For Holiday Gift Shelf Help, Event Technician Leslie Case recommends books for readers who know mistletoe is poisonous and are afraid of Marley’s Ghost. See our full list of favorite biblio-gifts: https://bit.ly/36745f7 Need more Shelf Help? Tell us about it: https://kclibrary.org/shelf-help-gifts

The story of Eddie Osadchey is key in responding to our latest KC Q question. Reader Richard Taegel asked our curiosity-powered series with The Kansas City Star about mafia connections at Northland country club.

From rural noir to an influencer-era thriller, these are CrimeReads' recommended novels being published this month, and the Library has/will have nearly all of them!

The Kansas City Public Library stands in full support of the many across our country including our staff and their families and others in our community who have marched in protest and in profound, insistent hope for the future. Read our full statement: https://bit.ly/2U8l7TB

Show Me KC Schools City School Fair is going virtual this year! To help ensure families have the access they need to attend, public computers at our Kansas City Public Library - Southeast Branch, Kansas City Public Library - Lucile H. Bluford Branch and Kansas City Public Library - Waldo Branch will be reserved during that time. Ninety-minute sessions can be reserved in advance by calling 816.701.3597.

Thanks Kansas City's Northeast News for this lovely preview of our recently renovated Kansas City Public Library - North-East Branch!

On Veterans Day our nation thanks and honors all military men and women who have served during wartime and peacetime to preserve our national security. Explore stories of service and life afterward with these reads: https://bit.ly/36xQY5Q

A renowned historian at Princeton University, the author of half a dozen books and an important and oft-sought voice on African American history and identity, Nell Painter wasn’t your typical aspiring art school student. Join us for an online discussion with Painter about her memoir Monday, November 16 at 6:30 p.m.

As students return to school virtually or in-person, remember the Library has lots of educational resources to help!

In honor of Veterans Day, our Missouri Valley Special Collections recently digitized this "Honor Roll created by John Rankin Greenlee, Chief of the Stacks of the old Main Library building at 9th and Locust, who took it upon himself to record and track former library pages and assistants who served in World War II. #VeteransDay

Tonight at 6:00 p.m. CST watch the documentary #PowerTripPBS, then join us to chat online and discuss the obstacles and opportunities to achieving clean, renewable energy with filmmaker Jonathan Scott. RSVP here: https://bit.ly/JSPT-OVEE-RSVP

Andre Perry's Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities examines the deliberate devaluation of Black communities and its consequences. Join us for online event with Perry this Thursday, November 12 in partnership with Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Are you planning to give anyone a book this holiday season? Check out these lovely quotes to use as inscriptions compiled by Book Riot.

As it gets colder and we all spend more time indoors, remember you can check out books, movies and more with our Pop In / Pick Up service! Learn more: https://kclibrary.org/pickup

Board member India Williams put on her best onesie and grabbed her favorite book for Bedtime Stories with Friends! Check out the new nightly storytimes all this month featuring our Friends of the Kansas City Public Library and Young Friends of the Kansas City Public Library on our KC Library Youth YouTube Channel.

From study spots at our Kansas City Public Library - Irene H Ruiz Branch and Kansas City Public Library - Waldo Branch, to Book a Browse in the children's section at our Kansas City Public Library - Plaza Branch, we've recently added a number by-appointment services! Learn more: https://kclibrary.org/appointments

I’m uncovering a powerful system waging war against the solar industry Jonathan Scott. Join us for an Indie Lens Pop-Up virtual screening + discussion of #PowerTripPBS with filmmaker Jonathan Scott tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. CST.

Read about the rich tribal history, ceremonies, and oral storytelling traditions during Native American Heritage Month. These books celebrate, recognize and honor the stories of the Indigenous peoples of North America: https://bit.ly/38q7yqx #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth

Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities by Andre Perry examines the deliberate devaluation of African Americans and the communities in which they live. Join us for online event with Perry this Thursday, November 12 in partnership with Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

We are saddened to learn of Alex Trebek's passing at age 80. For over 35 years, Trebek hosted the classic game show, Jeopardy! Celebrate Trebek and his lifelong pursuit of both obscure and common knowledge with these books and more: https://bit.ly/2JGYPGc