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Enter to Win!
Writing Contests:
Every month we host a new contest with prizes including a $200 honorarium and an invitation to read at a Library event. Our contest theme for September - December is The Fools Journey. One winner will be selected from submissions of poetry, short fiction, and essays. See previous winners, or read more about the guidelines and enter your original works »
Scary Story Writing Contest:
Submit your scary story now for the Fall 2021 Scary Story Contest! This contest is open to children and teens up to 19 years old. One entry per person, please. Stories should be no more than 5,000 words. Submit your entry now »
After the contest, join us for a Friday Fright Night on October 29th from 6-7pm as we read stories by select winners from the Scary Story Contest. This event will be fun for all ages. In between readings we will feature some recommended Halloween reads. Wear your costume for an extra fun scary time!
Sticker Design Contest:
Submit your entries now for the Fall Sticker Design Contest! Open to children and teens, we're looking for sticker illustrations to fit a Fall theme. Winners will be selected by Library staff and the top designs will be printed for patrons to collect in branches. Submit your entry now »
Pausing to Remember
The latest jocohistory blog entry, Pausing to Remember, relays how patrons can share community experiences in a safe setting.
As patrons visit their local Johnson County Branch during the month of September, they may come across an interactive display as they explore the building. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001, patrons are invited to share their experience of where they were that day.
Meet the Author: Meg Kearney
We are so excited to welcome award-winning poet and author Meg Kearney to Johnson County Library for three virtual events this month! Join us for one or all of the following:
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 6:30 p.m. Danger & Refuge: A Reading & Conversation, Meg Kearney with Wyatt Townley, former Kansas Poet Laureate
Wednesday, Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m. Craft Talk: Finding Refuge in Form: The Sonnet & The Extended Metaphor
Saturday, Sept. 25, 1 p.m. Workshop: Finding Refuge in Form: The Sonnet & The Extended Metaphor
See more detailed descriptions and register »
Meet the Author: Sharice Davids
Saturday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. Register now »
Kansas 3rd district congresswoman Sharice Davids loves encouraging kids to use their voice and lift up their communities. Join us for a reading and discussion with Rep. Davids, co-author Nancy Mays, and illustrator Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley as they talk about the art and story in Sharice's Big Voice. Their book tells the triumphant story of Davids, one of the first two Native American women ever elected to Congress and the first openly LGBTQ+ congressperson to represent Kansas in Washington.
This Week at the Library
Walk and Read – Daily, All Week
“Take a walk and read a book.” Not normally sound advice, but that is exactly what Johnson County Library is suggesting families do this week at Black Hoof Park, (9053 Monticello Road, Lenexa, KS) and at various locations throughout Johnson County. Walk and Read creates a family reading experience in the great outdoors! Families who participate will read two stories posted around the path, one going each direction. When you finish one story, you can flip around to the other side of the sign and begin the next story, which will lead you back around the path.
Take and Make – Monday, Sept 13, 2 – 3 p.m.
Get creative and exercise your DIY muscles with the Black & Veatch Makerspace Take & Make Kits! Register on this page or call 913.826.4600 to pick up your supply kits at your favorite Library and you'll get a link to follow the pre-recorded online instructional videos with our Makers. The Take and Make kits include supplies and instructions, although some kits you may need additional supplies you may already have at home. One kit per registrant.
Meet the Author: Julie Bogart – Tuesday, Sept 14, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Kids have a natural passion for learning, but that doesn't always transfer to traditional subjects needed for high school, college, and career. Best-selling author and homeschooling expert Julie Bogart shows you how to help kids become successful lifelong learners as she discusses her book The Brave Learner. The program will conclude with a short question and answer session.
Moving is Learning for Preschoolers – Wednesday, Sept 15, 1 – 1:45 p.m.
A moving child is a learning child. Grounded in best practices and current research, this session helps connect the dots that link brain activity, motor and sensory development, movement, and early learning. Movement experts from Johnson County Parks & Recreation District will lead 45 minutes of activities, exercises, and games this week at Antioch Park, Shelter 1, 6501 Antioch Rd, Merriam. Best for ages 3-6 and a caregiver.
Remember 9/11
Today marks the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001. In some Library locations, visitors have been sharing where they were when they heard the news. If you'd like to join the conversation and contribute your memories of the day, head over to our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and join the conversation.
Moving is Learning Series
Join us weekly at parks around Johnson County for our Moving is Learning series.
A moving child is a learning child. Grounded in best practices and current research, this session helps connect the dots that link brain activity, motor and sensory development, movement, and early learning. Movement experts from Johnson County Parks & Recreation District will lead 45 minutes of activities, exercises, and games.
Beginning Sept 15: Moving is Learning for Preschoolers (best for ages 3-6 and a caregiver) »
Beginning Sept 16: Moving is Learning for Babies and Toddlers (best for ages 1-3 and a caregiver) »
Reaching for Your Dreams Writing and Art Contest
In connection with our author event with Congresswoman Sharice Davids and her debut children's book Sharice's Big Voice, kids are invited to join our youth writing and art contest, "Reaching for Your Dreams."
In Sharice's Big Voice, Sharice dreamed of making a difference in this world by pursuing politics and now represents Kansas as a Congresswoman. What are your dreams? How will you accomplish them? What stands in your way? How will you stay motivated and what happens if you fail? Any or all of these questions and more can be explored in your submission. Winners will received a copy of Sharice's Big Voice signed by the authors and illustrator. Open to ages 10 and under.
Short stories, essays, poems, and art can be submitted between September 1 and September 14 »