Historian Andrew Jackson O’Shaughnessy looks at the British leaders who lost the American colonies and finds not incompetence but able and even brilliant men undone by political complexities at home and the fervency of their American opponents.
Biographer John Robert Greene looks at the life of Betty Ford, whose impact on American life is far out of proportion to the mere two and a half years she spent in the White House.
The Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper known to fans as “The White Puma” joins us for the launch of his new memoir Welcome to the Blue Heaven: Don’t Bet Against the Goalkeeper.
The Library celebrates the career of Kansas City-raised comedic actor Paul Rudd in this summer’s Off-the-Wall film series.
Curtis Hed uses humor, magic, juggling, and audience participation to promote the importance of reading and the ways the library has played an important part in
Interested in starting a small business in Kansas City? Attend this free information session to learn about entrepreneurship resources and services offered by local organizations.
In honor of the Library’s new series on landmark Supreme Court cases, here’s a lineup of movies about classic courtroom confrontations.
From the singing bowls of the Himalayas to American gospel music, celebrate the customs of diverse faiths and cultures with Midsummer’s Light.
Can’t make it to the beach this summer? Try the next best thing with our June series of surfer films.
Historian Amy S. Greenberg discusses her book about the controversial war that divided the nation even as it gave the U.S. control of the vast Southwest.
Rutgers University Distinguished Professor of Law Earl M. Maltz examines the controversial 1856 Supreme Court decision that found blacks were not citizens of the United States.
Artist Glen Hansen discusses the more than three dozen drawings and paintings of Kansas City buildings featured in his new exhibit opening June 27 at the Central Library.
This two-piece, nationally known kids’ band puts on a fun, family concert full of funky tunes so interactive that everyone gets to be part of the act! Appropriate for all ages.
In honor of the Library’s new series on landmark Supreme Court cases, here’s a lineup of movies about classic courtroom confrontations.
The long and colorful history of the Kansas City Police Department is examined in this exhibit featuring images from the Library’s Missouri Valley Special Collections.
This exhibit by New York artist Glen Hansen features drawings and paintings inspired by the details and ornamentation of Kansas City’s downtown architecture.
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Summer Reading Program



Summer Reading Program


June 1 – August 3, 2013

It’s that time of year! Children and Teens can earn prizes by reading books in our annual Summer Reading Program! Children can Dig into Reading, and Teens will go Beneath the Surface. Registration is easy!

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KC Unbound Blog

Summer Reading Program: Zoo to You Events!

Zoo to You brought animal ambassadors from the Kansas City Zoo to the Library.
June 14, 2013

Hey kids! This summer you can get up close and personal with creatures like the barred tiger salamander (the state amphibian of Kansas) and the sugar glider (a tiny Australian marsupial related to the opossum).

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This Week in Kansas City History

A Mess of a Massacre

Union Station

June 17, 1933: The parking lot of Union Station is riddled with bullets as friends of bank robber Frank Nash attempt to free him from federal custody, killing five people, including Nash.

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Film Blog

Program Notes: Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Witness for the Prosecution movie poster
June 17, 2013

Witness for the Prosecution could be called the granddaddy of the “gotcha” movie. Audiences were stunned and delighted by the last-act revelation that gave the story its oomph.

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Event Archive

What's been happening at the Library

Zachary Karabell
Zachary Karabell - U.S.-China Relations

Video, audio & photos of Library events.

Support the Library

Giving to the Library

Contact Claudia Baker for information.

Missouri Valley Special Collections

Current Theme: The City of Fountains

Postcard, Meyer Circle Fountain
Postcard, Meyer Circle Fountain

See more historic images from Kansas City.

Meet the Past Online

Meet the Past

Watch KCPT's Meet the Past with Crosby Kemper III online.