While well-maintained, the De Soto Library has received only minor cosmetic upgrades in the more than forty years. A larger-scale renovation will provide more meeting and collaboration spaces, a more intuitive collection layout, an improved kids’ area, updated technology and needed upgrades to building infrastructure. The Library will also be brightened and improved with new carpeting, shelving, furnishings, paint and more.
Building Projects FAQs
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De Soto Renovations
At De Soto Library, we plan to enhance the façade and outdoor area in front of the building, and to use the interior space more efficiently, allowing for more meeting and collaboration space and making best use of available natural light.
Design priorities in general are:
- Including study and meeting spaces for both quiet and collaborative work where possible
- Updating 6 by 6 Early Literacy spaces and kids’ area
- Updating public computers
- Creating an intuitive collection layout
- Enhancing outdoor spaces
- Making the best use of available natural light
- Security and technology enhancements
- Modernizing service desks
In 2025 we will begin refreshing our Comprehensive Library Master Plan, which will identify longer term needs and forecasts and allow us to plan with current data for the De Soto community, as well as all of our communities across Johnson County.
No services will be available at De Soto Library during the closure period. Returns, holds pickup, public computers, printing and copying and access to the collection are available at our other locations across the county, including Monticello Library (22435 W 66th St., Shawnee) and Lenexa City Center Library (8778 Penrose Ln., Lenexa). Both locations feature drive-thru options for convenient materials return and holds pickup.
While we are closed, check out these resources:
- eLibrary – Explore the world at your fingertips with eLibrary! Your Library card gives you free access to thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, magazines and more — anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re reading for fun, learning something new or just looking for your next great read, eLibrary has something for everyone. Start browsing today and enjoy the Library from the comfort of home.
- HomeConnect – HomeConnect is a free service for Johnson County Library cardholders who live in our service area but can’t visit the Library in person — whether for a temporary or long-term reason. If you’re homebound, we’ll mail Library materials directly to you.
- Johnson County Library YouTube – Check our YouTube where you can find our favorite videos about the Library!
- Homework Help for Kids and Teens - Our online homework help connects school-age kids with resources to help make learning clear, fun, and stress-free. Students gain access to a wide range of trusted databases, interactive learning tools, and expert support across subjects like math, reading, science, and more.
De Soto Alternate Locations for:
- Materials Return: Monticello Library
- Holds Pickup: Monticello Library
- Computer/Wi-Fi access: Monticello Library
- Election Ballot Return: Shawnee Library
- Other Library tasks: Monticello Library
No, the ballot box will not be accessible. Patrons may use any of the other ballot boxes at our other locations, or other options available for voting in Johnson County. The ballot box will be available again after reopening.
The De Soto and Spring Hill projects were both approved by the Library Board and the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) as part of the 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan. Anticipated total project costs for both locations are approximately $6.3 million. These two projects are funded by Library reserves.
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Corinth Replacement
Between January and October 2024, the Library partnered with the City of Prairie Village and the YMCA on a conceptual design study for a potential community center campus in Harmon Park. Although the Corinth Replacement Project was not scheduled to begin until 2026, the study provided an opportunity to explore a shared campus concept that could include a new community center and Library facility to replace the aging Paul Henson Family YMCA and potentially relocate the Corinth branch.
The study followed two market sustainability studies (2019 and 2023) that showed strong community support for a new community center. Its most recent phase included three community engagement meetings and multiple questionnaires to gather input on project interest, potential amenities, site location, design and costs. The final public meeting was held on Oct. 15, 2024. After considering study outcomes and public input, the Prairie Village City Council voted on Oct. 21, 2024, to cease pursuit of the project.
As a result, the Library and YMCA will independently explore next steps for their facilities. The Library Board remains committed to replacing Corinth and, earlier in 2024, worked with County Facilities partners and Dake Wells Architecture on a programming study. This study, combined with feedback from the Harmon Park process, confirmed that the current building is too small and lacks adequate study space, reservable meeting rooms and a drive-thru. Renovation was also found to be infeasible due to site constraints.With Antioch Library’s closure in January 2024, Corinth Library is now the oldest building in the Johnson County Library system, at just over 60 years old. The branch opened in February 1963, was expanded in 1967 and renovated in 1986 and 2002. For decades, it has been a popular and heavily used branch, especially for the kids collection.
While beloved, the building now faces significant structural issues that limit practical improvements. Renovation was considered but found to be nearly as costly and far riskier than replacement. Like a home remodel, updating a building over 60 years old can reveal unpredictable issues that require substantial contingency costs. At Corinth, this work would involve correcting uncertain foundation and groundwater issues, retrofitting structural systems, adding a third floor to meet community needs, constructing structured parking and replacing much of the interior and exterior to meet modern energy codes. Many materials are 40-60 years old and not designed for today’s library services, such as reliable access to power and data.
A new facility, by contrast, can be purpose-built to meet current codes, sustainability goals and operational requirements while providing more study space, meeting rooms and modern amenities. This approach ensures a resilient, efficient and future-ready Library that can reliably serve the community for the next 60-plus years.No final decision has been made. The Library Board still owns the building and parking lot at 81st and Mission Road but is exploring both keeping the current site and alternative locations. A recent feasibility study examined whether features like a drive-thru, improved parking, pedestrian and vehicle access, and additional building space could be accommodated on the current site.
In 2024, the Library and partners explored a shared campus idea with the City of Prairie Village and YMCA at Harmon Park, but the City Council decided not to move forward. Regardless of location, it is important to the Library Board and staff that the community continues to be served. We appreciate the support of Corinth Library users and our partners in the Community Center Campus Study.The anticipated total project cost for a new Corinth Library is $33,435,109 (in 2025 dollars), approved in fall 2025 by the Library Board and the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners as part of the 2026 Capital Improvement Plan. The project will be fully funded through the Library’s Comprehensive Library Master Plan, approved in 2015 and supported by the Board since 2016. No tax increase is expected to pay for the new facility.
Once the Library Board provides direction on a location, design work is expected to begin in 2026. There will be opportunities for public input during the design process.
You can share your thoughts in several ways:
- Contact Library staff via email or call (913) 826-4600.
- Contact the Library Board of Directors via email; your comment will be included in the next meeting’s board packet.
- Make a public comment at the beginning of an upcoming Library Board meeting.
- Attend a meeting: 4 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at Central Resource Library in Overland Park.
You do not need to live in Prairie Village — or even Johnson County — to give input. People from across the Kansas City metro area use our facilities, and we welcome feedback from a wide range of perspectives.
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Spring Hill Renovations
No services will be available at Spring Hill Library while we are closed Aug. 22 to Mid-2026.
Other options:
Returns, holds pickup, public computers, printing and copying and access to the collection are available at our other locations across the county, including Gardner Library (137 E Shawnee St, Gardner), Blue Valley Library (9000 W. 151st St., Overland Park), and Olathe Public Library's Indian Creek branch (16100 W. 135th St., Olathe). Johnson County and Olathe Libraries share an online catalog and materials, and your library card will work at either system. The Gardner and Indian Creek locations both feature curbside holds pickup, and Blue Valley Library offers a drive-thru lane for both holds pickup and materials return.
While we are closed, check out these resources:
- eLibrary – Explore the world at your fingertips with eLibrary! Your Library card gives you free access to thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, magazines and more — anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re reading for fun, learning something new or just looking for your next great read, eLibrary has something for everyone. Start browsing today and enjoy the Library from the comfort of home.
- HomeConnect – HomeConnect is a free service for Johnson County Library cardholders who live in our service area but can’t visit the Library in person — whether for a temporary or long-term reason. If you’re homebound, we’ll mail Library materials directly to you.
- Johnson County Library YouTube – Check our YouTube where you can find our favorite videos about the Library!
- Homework Help for Kids and Teens - Our online homework help connects school-age kids with resources to help make learning clear, fun, and stress-free. Students gain access to a wide range of trusted databases, interactive learning tools, and expert support across subjects like math, reading, science, and more.
During periods of extreme heat or cold, the Spring Hill Civic Center offers a comfortable indoor space for community members. The facility also offers free Wi-Fi, making it a convenient location to stay connected while taking shelter from the weather.
The Spring Hill Library site offers an opportunity for expansion on existing land. An expansion allows for more seating and collaboration spaces, a more spacious children’s area, an enhanced outdoor area and more natural light.
Design priorities in general are:
- Including study and meeting spaces for both quiet and collaborative work where possible
- Updating 6 by 6 Early Literacy spaces and kids’ area
- Updating public computers
- Creating an intuitive collection layout
- Enhancing outdoor spaces
- Making the best use of available natural light
- Security and technology enhancements
- Modernizing service desks
- Adding “self-service” hours and expanding the building outward at Spring Hill
In 2025 we will begin refreshing our Comprehensive Library Master Plan, which will identify longer term needs and forecasts and allow us to plan with current data for the Spring Hill community, as well as all of our communities across Johnson County.
While well-maintained, the Spring Hill Library has received only minor cosmetic upgrades in the more than forty years. A larger-scale renovation will provide more meeting and collaboration spaces, a more intuitive collection layout, an improved kids’ area, updated technology and needed upgrades to building infrastructure. The Library will also be brightened and improved with new carpeting, shelving, furnishings, paint and more.
Spring Hill Alternate Locations for:
- Materials Return: Gardner Library and Indian Creek Library (Olathe Public Library)
- Holds Pickup: Gardner Library and Indian Creek Library (Olathe Public Library)
- Computer/Wi-Fi access: Gardner Library and Indian Creek Library (Olathe Public Library)
- Election Ballot Return: Gardner Library
- Other Library tasks: Gardner Library
We are sorry to say, if your hold was not picked up by close of business at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, or the pickup location for your hold was not changed from Spring Hill to another branch, your hold expired. You will need to place your hold again.
No, the ballot box will not be accessible. Patrons may use any of the other ballot boxes at our other locations, or other options available for voting in Johnson County. The ballot box will be available again after reopening.
The De Soto and Spring Hill projects were both approved by the Library Board and the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) as part of the 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan. Anticipated total project costs for both locations are approximately $6.3 million. These two projects are funded by Library reserves.