We’re Here (Longer) for You: Kansas City Public Library Expands Hours

Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Our doorway to knowledge has swung open a bit wider.

As of September 6, 2019, the Kansas City Public Library is expanding operating hours nearly across its system, offering greater access to vital materials, services, and resources. Nine of the Library's 10 locations will be open longer on weekends, and select sites will remain open later on Friday nights.

All told, it provides an additional 28 hours of Library access a week.
Among the changes:

•    Nearly every location opens at 9 a.m. on Saturdays instead of 10.
•    Many sites open at 11 a.m. on Sundays instead of 1 p.m.
•    The L.H. Bluford and Southeast branches add two hours on Friday evenings, closing at 7 p.m. instead of 5.
•    The Plaza Branch adds six hours on weekends. On Saturdays, it opens at 9 a.m. (instead of 10). And on Sundays, it opens at 11 a.m. (instead of 1 p.m.) and closes at 9 p.m. (instead of 6).
Hours at the Sugar Creek Branch remain the same.

“For years, we have had people waiting at our doors to get in on Saturdays and Sundays and disappointed patrons at closing time,” says Joel Jones, the Library’s deputy director for library services. “With this expansion, we can build on the successful Friday night hours now in effect at the Plaza Branch and provide increased weekend access at locations throughout the system.

“Increasing access to Library facilities for everyone, especially teens and seniors, has been a goal for us for years.”

The expanded Library operating hours were made possible by Library District voters’ overwhelming approval of the Library Question in November 2018. It increased the property tax-based operating levy by 8 cents – the first adjustment of the rate in 22 years – enabling the Library to maintain and modernize facilities and sustain and enhance essential services.

The new hours begin the Library’s Next Chapter, in which projects tied to additional levy funds begin taking shape.

Below is the updated schedule of Information for all 10 Library locations. New hours are marked in red, with notes on the changes. For more information, go to kclibrary.org/locations.
 

Central Library

14 W. 10th St.  •  Kansas City, MO 64105
816.701.3400    
MON – WED    9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
THU – SAT    9 a.m. – 5 p.m.   (opens 1 hour earlier Saturday)
SUN          1 – 5 p.m.

    Missouri Valley Room
    MON – SAT    9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  (opens 1 hour earlier Saturday)
    SUN        CLOSED

    Central Audio/Visual Desk
    MON – WED    10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    THU – SAT    9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  (opens 1 hour earlier Saturday)
    SUN        1 – 5 p.m.

Lucile H. Bluford Branch

3050 Prospect Ave.  •  Kansas City, MO 64128
816.701.3482

MON – THU    9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
FRI          9 a.m. – 7 p.m.  (adds 2 evening hours)
SAT         9 a.m. – 5 p.m.   (opens 1 hour earlier)
SUN        11 a.m. – 5 p.m.  (opens 2 hours earlier)

North-East Branch

6000 Wilson Rd.  •  Kansas City, MO 64123
816.701.3485
MON – THU    9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
FRI – SAT    9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  (opens 1 hour earlier Saturday)
SUN        11 a.m. – 5 p.m.  (opens 2 hours earlier)

Plaza Branch

4801 Main St.  •  Kansas City, MO 64112
816.701.3481
MON – FRI    9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
SAT        9 a.m. – 6 p.m.  (opens 1 hour earlier)
SUN        11 a.m. – 9 p.m.  (opens 2 hours earlier, closes 3 hours later)

I. H. Ruiz Branch

2017 W. Pennway St.  •  Kansas City, MO 64108
816.701.3487     
MON – THU    11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
FRI        11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
SAT        9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  (opens 1 hour earlier)
SUN        CLOSED

Southeast Branch

6242 Swope Pkwy.  •  Kansas City, MO 64130
816.701.3484    
MON – FRI    10 a.m. – 7 p.m.  (2 Friday evening hours added)
SAT        9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  (opens 1 hour earlier)
SUN        11 a.m. – 5 p.m.  (opens 2 hours earlier)

Sugar Creek Branch

102 S. Sterling Ave.  •  Sugar Creek, MO 64054
816.701.3489
(No change in hours)
MON – THU    Noon – 7 p.m.
FRI – SAT    1 – 5 p.m.
SUN        CLOSED

Trails West Branch

11401 E. 23rd St.  •  Independence, MO 64052
816.701.3483
MON – THU    9 a.m – 8 p.m.
FRI – SAT    9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  (opens 1 hour earlier Saturday)
SUN        11 a.m. – 5 p.m.  (opens 2 hours earlier)

Waldo Branch

201 E. 75th St.  •  Kansas City, MO 64114
816.701.3486    
MON – THU    9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
FRI        9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
SAT        9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  (opens 1 hour earlier)
SUN        11 a.m. – 5 p.m.  (opens 2 hours earlier)

Westport Branch

118 Westport Rd.  •  Kansas City, MO 64111
816.701.3488
MON – TUE     10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
WED – THU   10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
FRI           10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
SAT        9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  (opens 1 hour earlier)
SUN           CLOSED
 

Library Next Chapter graphic
Extended Library hours and increased access to materials, services, and resources made possible by voters saying YES to the LIBRARY QUESTION in November 2018.