Building Our Future

Come Discover our New Kids Area at Central Resource Library

This time lapse video, shot over the course of 24 days with four cameras, shows the beautifully complex, coordinated and choregraphed dance involved in moving our collection into the newly relocated and expanded Kids Area at Central Resource Library! What changes await you to discover?

  • Brand new shelving
  • More natural light with wonderful views of Strang Park
  • Window seating 
  • A storytime room
  • And so much more!

So, do you have a minute? Come discover the transformation! It's almost an entire month in one minute.

Central Resource Library Temporary Closure

The “Little Central” portion of Central Resource Library will close beginning Monday, Feb. 14 to prepare for the building’s full reopening on Tuesday, Feb. 22. If you've been using Little Central facilities, please take note: 

  • Please contact us no later than Thursday, Feb. 10 if you would like to pick up your available holds from another branch during the closure period.
  • Holds not picked up by 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 13 will remain on the holds shelf an extra seven days from their original expiration date. Please check your Library account for specific dates.
  • If you have items checked out that will be due during the closure, please return your items to another branch or renew materials through your Library account. 
  • For public computers and access to the collection, please visit one of our other 13 locations during the closure period. 

Our Construction FAQ contains additional information about Central Resource Library’s reopening, which includes a live-streamed ribbon-cutting ceremony on our Facebook page at 2 p.m. on Feb. 22. 

Thank you for your patience as we work to improve your Library experience. We look forward to welcoming you back to the building!

Central Resource Library Progress

Central Resource Library will reopen on Tuesday, Feb. 22! Have questions about construction? We have Answers.

In the meantime, here are a few fresh photos.

Photo 1: The windows in our new kids section create plenty of bright spaces for you to read with your little ones.

Photo 2: The new Kids space features a storytime room with a large window overlooking the park and a retractable door, leaving the space open when not in use for a program.

Photo 3: The Questions desk in the Kids Space is almost ready for our librarians to help you find what you need.

Photo 4: When you return items to Central Resource Library’s drive-up materials return bin, it will be checked in and off your account immediately with the help of one of two sorters in our circulation workroom.

Leawood Pioneer Library Closed for Building Maintenance

Leawood Pioneer Library will be closed Monday, Jan. 10 through Friday, Jan. 14 for building maintenance and will reopen as scheduled at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15.

Holds ready for pickup but not checked out by 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8 will remain on-shelf until the building reopens. Check your library account for specific dates. Please contact us no later than Thursday, Jan. 6 if you would like to pick up your available holds from another branch during the closure period.

Returns will be accepted at the branch during the closure. For other Library needs, such as public computers and access to the collection, please visit one of our other Johnson County Library locations. Corinth Library (8100 Mission Rd., Prairie Village) and Blue Valley Library (9000 W 151st St., Overland Park) are the closest in proximity to Leawood Pioneer.

Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we work to improve your facilities! Visit jocolibrary.org and follow @jocolibrary on social media for updates.

Central Resource Library Remodel Progress

Central Resource Library is scheduled to reopen fully at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the new and improved features we’re excited to welcome you back to!

Check out the slideshow to see how work has progressed over the last few months.

Our new Johnson County Library sign in front of the building welcomes visitors to our updated spaces.

Our drive-up exterior book drop will reopen with the addition of a new drive-thru holds pickup window. You’ll be able to return your materials and pick up your available holds in one spot without leaving your vehicle!

A brand-new Kids area, in the southeast corner of the building, includes bright, welcoming colors, a new storytime room (at the back of the area pictured) and large windows allowing for increased natural light and windows seats where you can page through a book or two with your little ones. 

You’ll find answers to many common questions about this project in our Construction FAQ, which also features a Fly-Through video rendering of the project. We’re looking forward to welcoming you back to a fully open Central!

 

A Sign of Things to Come

There is a beautiful new Johnson County Library sign installed on the outside of Central Resource Library and it is just a little hint of all the big changes you will see inside! What will you discover?

  • Additional and reconfigured study and conference rooms.
  • An expanded, relocated Kids area with more natural light, window seating and a storytime room.
  • A new drive-thru for convenient holds pickup and returns.
  • A lot of “back-of-the-house” and “behind-the-scenes” upgrades that will result in materials being available for patrons more quickly throughout the entire Library system.

We can’t wait to welcome you back Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022! Join us at 2 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, then check out all the wonderful changes made over the prior year.

 

 

Throwback Thursday: History of the Central Resource Library

A wonderful article detailing the History of the Central Resource Library can be found on the JoCoHistory Blog. 

Discover its origins, learn about previous construction, its relocation, openings and re-openings, detailing a story that began in the 1950s and continues to be written as we welcome you back on Feb. 22, 2022!

Library Origins

In the early 1950s, the libraries of Johnson County were run by community volunteers. Some housed small libraries in their homes, some worked out of local buildings – barbershops, schoolhouses, and shopping centers – and others operated traveling bookmobiles. With support from the community, an official Johnson County Library was established in 1953 with funding and a permanent location in Merriam, Kansas. Three years later, the Library moved to the location at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Antioch (the current Antioch Library) and designated this the Headquarters Branch.

Read the full article »

Central Resource Library Remodel Progress

Have you been wondering how construction is going at Central? Here’s a sneak peek at some of the new and improved features you’ll find when the Central Resource Library reopens this spring.

Our drive-up exterior book drop will reopen with the addition of a new drive-thru holds pickup window. You’ll be able to return your materials and pick up your available holds in one spot without leaving your vehicle! Check out the slideshow to see how this addition has progressed over the last few months.

Crews have also been hard at work creating a brand-new Kids area, in the southeast corner of the building. In the slideshow photos, you can see the progress as the new storytime room (at the back of the area pictured) is framed, drywalled, and painted. You can also see the large new windows allowing for increased natural light and cheerful spots to page through a book or two with your little ones. Finally, catch a glimpse at the colorful tile in the new Kids restroom.

You’ll find answers to many common questions about this project in our Construction FAQ, which also features a Fly-Through video rendering of the project. We’re looking forward to welcoming you back to a fully open Central!

Photos provided by Construction Manager, Titan Built, LLC.

TBT: In Case You Missed It

How do you replace the roof of a Library in less than 1 minute? Time lapse is the only way we could come up with. Cedar Roe Library has seen many updates lately like a new reading room, new shelving and an improved kids area. The new roof is like the cherry on the cake. Enjoy!

Cedar Roe Library Closed Aug 9 - Aug 13

On Saturday, Aug. 7, there will be no access to the Cedar Roe Library parking lot from 9 am to 1 pm due to a street closure of 51st Terrace. The Library will still be open during this time, though Curbside Holds Pickup service will be walk-up only until 1 pm.

Cedar Roe Library will then be closed to both staff and the public Monday, Aug. 9 through Friday, Aug. 13 for replacement of the building's sloped roof. Curbside Holds Pickup service will also be suspended, and returns will not be accepted during the closure. Please note that these closure dates are subject to weather conditions.

  • If you have items checked out from Cedar Roe that will be due during the closure, your due dates have been extended for one additional week. Check your library account for specific dates.
  • Holds ready for pickup but not checked out by 2 pm on Saturday, Aug. 7 will remain on-shelf for one additional week. Check your library account for specific dates.
  • Public computers, including printing and copying services, are available at our other Johnson County Library locations. Antioch Library has the closest proximity to Cedar Roe.

The sloped roof replacement will complete the major upgrades that Cedar Roe received in 2021, which include an HVAC overhaul and new shelving. Watch our website or @jocolibrary on social media for updates.

Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we work to improve your facilities!