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.
In anticipation of the closure, here are a few important dates to keep in mind:
- Sunday, Aug. 17 is the last day to request an item for holds or Interlibrary Loan pick up at De Soto Library. After this date De Soto will no longer show as an option to select when reserving materials through your Library account.
- On Thursday, Aug. 28, all pending holds with a requested pickup location of De Soto will be paused until the building reopens in 2026. You may choose to either:
- Take no action and leave the holds paused. Your holds will automatically resume in your account when the building reopens. You will not lose your place in line with a paused hold; your queue number will be adjusted automatically.
- Log in to your account through our website or app and select a new pickup location for any holds that may become available during the closure period.
- Saturday, Sept. 6 would be the last day of services at De Soto Library, including access to the collection, public computers, holds pick up, and materials return. Available holds not picked up by close of business at 2:00 p.m. will expire.
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, the City of Prairie Village, and the YMCA partnered on a conceptual design study for a potential community center campus. The study was to explore the feasibility of a community center campus in Harmon Park to replace the aging Paul Henson Family YMCA and potentially relocate the Library’s Corinth branch. The study was brought about by two market sustainability studies conducted in 2019 and 2023, that showed strong community support for building a new community center.
The most recent study phase of the project included three community engagement meetings and multiple community questionnaires intended to gather input on project interest, potential campus amenities, site location and design, and analyze project costs. The study’s final public meeting was held October 15, 2024. After the conclusion of the study, the Prairie Village City Council considered public feedback and overall study outcomes. During a City Council meeting October 21, 2024, the Council voted to cease pursuit of the project.
As a result of this action, the Library and YMCA will independently explore next steps for their respective facilities.
Corinth Library, located at 81st and Mission Rd., was the Library’s second permanent location after Antioch Library in Merriam. The closure of Antioch in January 2024 makes Corinth now the oldest building in the Johnson County Library system, at just over 60 years old.
The branch opened in February 1963 and has been expanded once (1967) and renovated twice, in 1986 and 2002. Corinth has served as a popular and heavily-used branch (especially the Kids collection) for decades. While beloved by the community, there are significant structural issues with the existing building that limit economically justifiable and feasible improvements.
A location has not been decided yet. The Library Board of Directors owns the existing Corinth building and parking lot parcel at 81st and Mission Road, but could provide direction to explore alternative sites. The Library is currently studying the feasibility of the current site against specific parameters, including the ability to host a drive-thru lane for materials returns and hold pickup, car and pedestrian access, parking, and building square footage. We anticipate the Board will vote on a direction in late 2024.
We heard over the course of this study how much Corinth Library means to our community—not only Prairie Village residents, but also those in neighboring cities and across the state line. Johnson County Library has been operating in Prairie Village since 1953 and at the Corinth facility since 1963. It is our third busiest branch overall and is especially popular with young families and seniors. Regardless of final location, it is important to our Library Board and staff that we continue to serve this community. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and support of Corinth Library users as well as our partners in the Community Center Campus Study.
Johnson County Library will fully fund a potential new Library building through the Library’s Comprehensive Library Master Plan funding, approved by the Library Board in 2015, and funded by the BOCC in 2016. We do not anticipate any tax increase will be needed to pay for a new Library facility. The total project budget for the Corinth Library Replacement is anticipated to be $28.7 million. As we continue to refine project details this number could change.
Once the Library Board provides direction on a location for the Corinth Replacement Library, we anticipate design work to begin in 2026. There will be opportunities for public input at that time.
There are several ways to share your thoughts about a potential Corinth Replacement Library:
- Contact Library staff via email or call us at (913) 826-4600;
- Contact the Library Board of Directors via email, and 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. Meetings are held at 4 p.m. 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 about a new library facility. We recognize that people from all 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.
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.