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Praise for New Online Programming
Like many Johnson County Library patrons, Lindsey Opdyke says she learned to appreciate all the online services offered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She got the Axis 360 eBooks app. And Facebook Live programming has added a whole new dimension to her family’s Library experiences.
During normal times, Opdyke works full-time and her mother-in-law would take her young daughter, Emerson, every Wednesday to Storytime at Monticello Library. Those in-person Storytimes introduced Emerson to wonderful books, rhymes and songs since she was about nine months old.
“My daughter enjoys the interaction with other kids. She doesn’t normally have a lot of that,” Opdyke said. “Listening to a teacher that’s not a family member, that’s really beneficial. Having to follow rules and use her inside voice.”
Since Opdyke was normally busy at work, she only accompanied Emerson to Storytime on the rare Wednesday when she had a day off. Then, after the virus struck and the Library branches all closed, she learned that the Storytimes would be available online. Since Opdyke was now working from home, all of a sudden she was able to follow the Storytimes herself.
“I loved the time at home,” Opdyke said. She especially appreciated getting to watch Storytimes every weekday at 10 a.m., and getting to experience those lively settings with her daughter.
She said Emerson realizes the “virtual” Storytime is different from what she had been used to, but it still keeps her engaged and learning. “She’s a little performer,” Opdyke said. “She loves going to the Library, but I think she really loves the online Storytime as well.”
The family is thrilled they can now return to Monticello Library and stock up on actual books. But Opdyke has discovered that the Library’s innovations during the pandemic are major enhancements to what was already offered.
“We love it,” she said. “And we hope they continue to do the online programs.”
Friday's Featured Artist Up For Major Award!
We just learned that Interconnections—the giant 3 panel mosaic at Lenexa City Center Library—was chosen as one of CODAawards Top 100 public artworks for 2020! These internationally acclaimed awards celebrate the projects that most successfully integrate commissioned art into interior, architectural, or public spaces. There were 446 projects this year, from 30 different countries.
There is a public voting phase! It's open through June 30. It's open to everyone to choose two People’s Choice winners based on the commissioned art projects you love. If you feel Interconnections is deserving, please cast your vote!
TBT: Long Before the Monticello Library
Long before the Monticello Library—and Shawnee, Kansas for that matter—there was a small settlement called Monticello Township. This log cabin is historically known as the Monticello Cabin. And, as you very well know, Thursday, June 25, is Log Cabin Day!
This beautiful abode was moved in 1976 from its original location and is now part of Old Shawnee Town. Originally, it was 2 stories and had a dirt floor.
Remember, jocohistory.org is the place to time travel through local history. Be sure to follow our hashtag on Twitter!
Happy Throwback Thursday! Some call it the best day of the week.
Author Research in Action: Oppenheimer
How do authors know so much about the setting, the professions of their characters, and other real-life details? Well, they do research!
We’re pretty excited about what will be periodically recurring episodes of the podcast we’re calling “Author Research in Action.” We take an award-winning author and let them dive-into conversation with a subject matter expert!
This time, Reference Librarian Helen Hokanson hosts a discussion on the Manhattan Project and so much more. Los Alamos National Laboratory Program Manager and Senior Historian, Alan Carr is paired with author Robert J. Sawyer who’s written a new SciFi/historical fiction/thriller called The Oppenheimer Alternative.
A Great First Week Back
WOW! The stats are in for our first week back in all 14 of our branches – between Monday, June 15 and Sunday, June 21, you checked out 75,569 items! 67,064 returned items were checked back in after completing their 72 hour quarantine, 39,438 new holds were placed, and we welcomed 439 new card holders to Johnson County Library. That’s even with reduced hours and all branches closed on Friday!
We know the atmosphere at our branches is likely a little different than what you’re used to, but we’re so glad to see your faces again - even from six feet away and behind a mask! We are researching ways to safely resume additional services and implement new ways to serve our community, and we are always listening to your feedback. Whether you’ve visiting the Library in person or online, staff look forward to helping you find the information, materials and services you need.
Rising to the Challenge
We're proud that our Black & Veatch MakerSpace face masks are featured in the Johnson County Museum RISING TO THE CHALLENGE exhibit.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a historic event unlike anything most Johnson Countians have experienced. The exhibit "Rising to the Challenge: Suburban Stength in Difficult Times" highlights how Johnson Countians have responded to challenging times. JoCoMuseum hopes this unique temporary exhibit serves as a source of inspiration, guidance, and strength as Johnson Countians again seek to rise to the challenge.
Friday Featured Artist: Megan Luttrell
Megan Luttrell's music is a classic Midwestern mix of folk, blues and country and yet still more than the sum of these parts. With an instantly recognizable voice in the style of Bonnie Raitt and Melissa Etheridge, Luttrell already has one album under her belt (2016's Broken Bottles) and a recent single called "Miss You." We are fortunate to share an exclusive interview with Luttrell about her music, background and book recommendations, too.
TBT: "Greatness"
Do you want a really great glimpse into great local history? The Great story of the Great Mall of the Great Plains in the Great city of Olathe in the Great state of Kansas is, well ... GREAT!
The great jocohistory folks have put together a great 2-part story you do not want to miss!
Remember, jocohistory.org is the place to time travel through local history. Be sure to follow our hashtag on Twitter!
Happy Throwback Thursday! Some call it the best day of the week.
You are Very Satisfied and We are Elated!
The Library received the highest satisfaction rating from County residents in a recent community survey (PDF), with 85 percent of respondents saying they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with our service. This is up from 2019, when 81 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with Library services, and is ten percentage points higher than the national average for libraries. Along with Med-Act, Parks and Recreation, and Motor Vehicle Division, the Library was also rated as one of the top four most important services that the County provides.
A huge THANK YOU to our patrons for supporting the Library year after year, and to our staff, whose passion and dedication to our community shines through in all that you do!
Race Project KC
Libraries provide access to information and resources to all, regardless of race, religion, economic standing, political affiliations, or any other characteristic or belief. We also offer safe spaces that encourage respectful civic discourse. At Johnson County Library, respect for all people is not just an ideal; it was purposely written into our Library values. Our mission is to provide access to information, ideas, experiences and materials that support and enrich people’s lives, and we are committed to serving and supporting our community.
Johnson County Library offers several resources for those seeking education and civic engagement opportunities. Programming such as Gather at the Table brings people from diverse backgrounds together to engage in civil discourse over often divisive topics. Race Project KC, an annual immersive social justice initiative sponsored by JCL, aims to help high school students understand Kansas City’s and Johnson County’s story of structural racism and how it continues to impact us today. We also offer access to the Dividing Lines audio tour, which allows listeners to explore the history of segregation in the Kansas City metro, at their own pace and in their own vehicles. And you can find book and media resource recommendations from our Librarians on jocolibrary.org, such as this list of books for kids and teens by Black authors and Fiction by People of Color.
Now, more than ever, is a time to reflect on our unequal past, uncertain present and the creation of an equitable future. Libraries are both a resource and a refuge for those seeking greater knowledge and understanding. We look forward to listening to, learning with and supporting our community in the weeks and months ahead.
Finally, thank you to those who have donated so far or reached out about partnership opportunities in support of Race Project KC. If you would like to contribute toward their 2020-2021 initiatives and beyond, please visit the Johnson County Library Foundation donation page and type Race Project KC in the “in honor of” field.