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 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.