Fox 4 film critic Shawn Edwards hosts a panel discussion on how African-Americans have been portrayed in film when it comes to romance and love. Historian Joseph R. Fischer presents The First Indian War: The Continental Army’s Campaign Against the Iroquois.Author John Brewer discusses his new book that traces the twisting path of the Hahn La Belle – a painting of famously uncertain origin.Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove, Kansas City’s favorite kids’ rocker, performs songs about family, friends, and love in honor of Valentine’s Day.The Kansas City Public Library celebrates Black History Month with The Movies We Love: The Most Romantic Black Movies (Ever) as selected by Fox 4 film critic Shawn Edwards. Poet and griot Kwabena Dinizulu presents Aesop to Hip Hop – a collection of fables, folk tales, poetry, and proverbs. Aesop to Hip Hop addresses subjects critical to character development and cultural understanding.This ensemble performance of an original multimedia production offers a dramatic retelling of the legendary romance between composer Robert Schumann and virtuoso pianist Clara Wieck. Are you between the ages of 12-17? Are you not a fan of Valentine’s Day? If you answered “yes” to both questions, then the Library has just the event for you: the first “Un-Valentine’s Day” party. Nick and Nora are houseguests on Long Island when their host is murdered. The couple pursues the case into the city with a quick stop at the West Indies Club-only to round up all the suspects in their New York City apartmentAuthor Marc Wortman discusses his new book about the Union victory he says “pierced the heart” of the Confederacy and all but ended the Civil War.Author and educator Jay Greene explains which education reforms he believes are most likely to succeed and shares the evidence that has led him to those conclusions.Local storyteller Brother John performs Songs of the Black Pioneers, a tribute to African-American trailblazers such as the first black female to fly on a space shuttle and the first black U.S. Marshal. Professor Milton Katz discusses the 125-year history of The Kansas City Art Institute, one of the oldest cultural institutions in the city.A free monthly series of probing films, followed by discussions featuring cinema and psychoanalysis experts for an examination of how celluloid gets under our skin – and into our psyche. Novelist and critic Edmund White discusses his new memoir City Boy and explains how he overcame various setbacks to write 23 books, including A Boy’s Own Story– his autobiographical novel about growing up gay in the 1950s.Longtime Kansas City Star columnist Mike Hendricks and his wife, local blogger Roxie Hammill, discuss their new book Mike and Roxie’s Vegetable Paradise.Kansas City Star television critic Aaron Barnhart discusses his new book Tasteland, a look back at the best TV of the past 15 years.The rise of Hugo Chavez as witnessed by author and political activist Charles Hardy. Kansas City-area high school students offer unique interpretations of William Shakespeare’s monologues and sonnets.An exhibit of 60 framed photographs, showcasing one of the most stunning landscapes on earth.Kansas City maps and accompanying postcards, advertising cards, and photographs shed light on local history and research opportunitiesOrganized by photography historian Virginia Dodier, Nosotras is a collection of 50 photographs documenting the lives and culture of Latina immigrants in the United States.The permanent gallery's inaugural exhibit showcases the local legend's most famous subjects from the golden age of theater and film.Artists Garry Noland and Cory Imig visually interpret ­– and re-invent – language, patterns, and ideas about the natural world using a variety of media, from acrylic paint on wood panels to duct tape and National Geographic magazines.
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L. H. Bluford Branch Renovation

Reader's Corner

Featured Database

Kids InfoBits
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With a kid-friendly interface, this online resource features age-appropriate information for elementary school students.

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This Week in Kansas City History

The Worst Fire in Kansas City History

Postcard of the Coates House Hotel

January 28, 1978: Flames engulf the Coates House Hotel, destroying much of the building and causing the worst loss of life by fire in Kansas City history.

Missouri Valley Special Collections

Monthly Theme: Valentines


1907 Buster Brown Valentine


See KCHistory.org for digital collections or
learn more about Local History & Genealogy.

C-SPAN at the Library

C-SPAN at the Library

See the Media Center for audio recordings, Meet the Past on KCPT (first broadcasts on Thursdays at 8:30 p.m.), and C-SPAN videos.

Previous Special Events

What's been happening at the Library

Previous Special Events at Kansas City Public Library
Script-in-Hand: Picnic


Library photos on Flickr | Audio of Events
All Previous Special Events

Giving to the Library

Giving to the Library

You can help meet the challenge for the Lucile H. Bluford Branch renovation. Contact Claudia Baker for details.