Candice Millard, author of the best-selling Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine & Murder, examines the brief presidency of James A. Garfield and the fallout from his assassination.
KU professors Steve Goddard and Perry Alexander examine the world of computer pioneer Alan Turing, subject of Cryptograph, an exhibit now on display at KU’s Spencer Museum of Art.
Dino O’Dell will launch his new CD, Outerspace, at the Central Library in the morning and a second performance during Friday Night Family Fun at the Plaza Branch!
You’re never too old (or young at heart) for a toe-tapping, head-banging, pulse-pounding dose of rock music. Join us for screenings that celebrate the power of pop.
Tech professionals and an award-winning team of student inventors pit their robot inventions against one another in the Geek vs. Geek robot design competition.
Coterie Theatre artists read from their favorite children’s books while the audience enjoys an opportunity to “jump into the story” on stage. This program is appropriate for all ages. Parents are invited to participate with their children.
Murder. Hill people. Sensational press coverage. Historian Brooks Blevins reveals how a 1929 crime forever colored public perceptions of the Ozarks.
Former Kansas City Star columnist Bill Tammeus discusses the death of his nephew on 9-11 and his journey through anger to acceptance and understanding.
Curator Catherine Futter and her colleagues provide a behind-the-scenes look at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art's major exhibit drawn from almost a century of world's fairs.
Bon vivant Chester Alan Arthur was propelled into the presidency by an assassination and then defied the federal patronage system that had nurtured him.
Be part of the studio audience as Meet the Past continues with Crosby Kemper III interviewing Pulitzer Prize-winning author Willa Cather as portrayed by actress Jan Chapman.
This documentary film screening takes a look at an unheralded pioneer of the Civil Rights Movement.
Historian Barry Strauss delves into the personalities and methodologies of Alexander, Hannibal, and Caesar, ancient generals who offer valuable lessons 2,000 years later.
Economist Viral V. Acharya argues that the collapse of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac was virtually inevitable and discusses how we can limit the damage and avoid the same mistakes in the future.
The exhibit The Civil War in Missouri depicts the bitter infighting in a state where citizens’ loyalties were divided between the Union and the Confederacy.
Kansas City Architecture A to Z, with apologies to O, R, T, V, X, Y, is a special exhibit based on a book by Kansas City Star writer and editor Steve Paul that celebrates the city’s historic, invigorating, and eclectic scene one letter at a time.
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Summer Reading

June 1 - August 4, 2012

Summer Reading

Dream big as you enjoy reading this summer with the Library's Summer Reading programs for kids (ages 12 & under) and teens (ages 13-18)! Track your reading and earn prizes all summer! Registration begins June 1.

Learn more...

KC Unbound Blog

Library Interview: Brooks Blevins on "Ghost of the Ozarks"

Ghost of the Ozarks book cover
May 16, 2012

“I’m a country guy and always will be,” explains author Brooks Blevins. “Being an Ozarker means being able to get away from everything and be out in the country.” It also meant a career studying the region of his birth and its inhabitants.

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This Week in Kansas City History

A Man of Many Parts

Lafayette Tillman

March 15, 1858: Lafayette Tillman, who will go on to become a veteran of the Spanish-American War and one of Kansas City's first African American police officers, is born in Evansville, Indiana.

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Film Blog

New on DVD: The Whistleblower (2010)

The Whistleblower movie poster
May 16, 2012

Based on the real experiences of Kathryn Bolkovac, The Whistleblower carries a big dose of moral outrage. The film isn’t easy watching, but Rachel Weisz’s performance gives the film a human and humane center.

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Previous Special Events

What's been happening at the Library

Ina P. Montgomery: A Celebration of Black Women
Ina P. Montgomery

Audio recordings | Library photos on Flickr
Video recordings | All Previous Special Events

Giving to the Library

Giving to the Library

Contact Claudia Baker for information.

Missouri Valley Special Collections

Current Theme: Victorian Trade Cards

Bone Spring Co. Mattresses
Bone Spring Co. Mattresses

See more historic images from Kansas City.
 

Meet the Past Online

Meet the Past

Watch every episode of KCPT's Meet the Past with Crosby Kemper III online, including the latest edition featuring Robert Gibby Brand portraying Edgar Snow. You can also visit the Media Center to find audio recordings and C-SPAN videos of our special events.