Corinth Library Replacement Study
First Steps
The Library Board has prioritized the development of a replacement facility for Corinth Library as our next large-scale capital project, with design expected to begin in 2026. Funding for the Corinth Library replacement has already been allocated through the Comprehensive Library Master Plan, which was approved in 2015 as a framework to guide the Library’s sustainable growth of services, operations and facilities. This means residents will not see a tax increase to pay for a new Library.
History of Corinth Library
The History of Corinth Library
Corinth History
Corinth Library is Johnson County Library’s oldest facility. The branch opened in February 1963, and for more than 60 years, has served the Prairie Village community and beyond as a popular neighborhood resource and gathering spot.
Though beloved, the aging facility lacks modern infrastructure to support 21st-century community needs and has significant structural issues that limit economically justifiable improvements.
The Study
A joint study with the City of Prairie Village and the YMCA to explore a shared campus with a community center and new Library concluded in fall 2024, with the Prairie Village City Council determining that the project was not feasible. At the same time, the Library also conducted a “test fit” study of the current Corinth Library site to determine if the needs of a modern library — including a drive-thru for returns and holds pickup and reconfigured parking — will work on the existing site. At the request of the Library Board, who owns the property at 13 of 14 Library locations including the existing Corinth building, staff are also exploring the availability of other potential alternative sites.
Next Steps
After a final location is determined for the Corinth Library Replacement, staff will work to select an architect and begin design work. The community will then be invited to give feedback on specific features and services they’d like to see in a new facility. Updates will be shared through this page, on social media by following @jocolibrary and at the existing Corinth branch.
Corinth FAQ
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.