
Please be advised, the COVID-19 Pandemic has affected Library Hours and some services »
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us all differently. And it’s especially difficult for those who have limited digital access or skills. To help you navigate the pandemic, we’ve created a list of resources that cover a variety of topics.
Johnson County Library is the primary organization implementing the Digital Navigators project of the Community Reinvestment Phase II of Johnson County COVID-19 Recovery Funding. The goal of this project is to provide support and assistance for Johnson County residents who lack digital access and skills who have been impacted by COVID-19. Johnson County Library staff are connectors to education, career, technology, human services and other resources through our information and public service channels.
If you are looking for resources to help you during the pandemic, check out the list below.
Ask a Librarian
Device/Internet Access
Social Services
Health
Business
Employment
Education
Digital Literacy
Recursos españoles
The Library recently initiated Curbside Holds Pickup service at the Leawood Pioneer branch. While you are always welcome to pick up your materials inside the Leawood branch, you now have the option for contactless holds pickup from the comfort of your vehicle!
To use the service:
With the success of the Curbside pickup service at our Leawood location, we are expanding this option to our Gardner branch beginning August 24, and Cedar Roe beginning August 31.
Hours for Curbside Holds Pickup will follow branch hours of operation, but the service will end 15 minutes prior to the close of the building at all three locations.
While visitors are always welcome to go into the branches to pick up their holds, browse the shelves, or use public computers (one hour per day limit), the Library anticipates that Curbside Holds Pickup service will continue well into the future due to positive feedback from patrons, especially those with mobility issues and families with small children.
A reminder to patrons, Johnson County Library will start enforcing Governor Laura Kelly’s executive order requiring masks or face coverings in public. Beginning Tuesday, July 21, masks will now be required in all Johnson County Library buildings. Patrons wearing any kind of face covering, including a face shield, is acceptable. Disposable masks will be available if you do not have one.
Library policy requires that patrons comply with all regulations and laws, including the executive orders issued by the governor. Our Suspension, Denial, or Restriction of Library Use policy states, “The County Librarian or his/her designee is authorized to suspend, deny, or restrict an individual's library privileges for (1) violation of federal or state law, local codes, or library regulations.”
This means if you do not wear a mask in the Library, you will be asked to leave for the day. You are welcome back the following day if you wear a mask, or you can choose to use our drive-thrus or online services instead.
The governor’s order lists several exemptions to the mask order, including:
If you cannot wear a mask, we ask that you maintain six feet of distance between staff and other patrons. Thanks to everyone who is wearing a mask that is able to; it is our intent to help keep everyone safe.
Face masks or cloth face coverings are now required to be worn inside all Johnson County Library branches, in accordance with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly's statewide order and the Board of County Commissioners’ Thursday, July 2 vote to uphold the order. The mask requirement applies to all patrons, volunteers and Library staff unless otherwise exempted.
Johnson County Library has ordered a stock of single-use masks that will be available to our patrons as supplies allow. We anticipate these will be available in branches later this week. We also ask that all visitors to our buildings continue to follow recommended preventative measures, such as physical distancing of at least six feet, frequent hand-washing or sanitizing, and staying home if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.
Governor Kelly’s order can be read online as a PDF. Some frequently asked questions are below, and can also be found in our Reopening FAQ.
If you cannot wear a mask, we ask that you maintain six feet of distance between staff and other patrons.
When possible, we encourage all patrons to utilize one of our three drive-thru locations at the Blue Valley, Lenexa City Center or Monticello branches for contactless holds pickup.
Thank you for your patience as we work through what this new directive means for Johnson County Library!
If you turned in your books due on Tuesday, June 30, you may notice they are still on your account! All returned materials are isolated for a minimum of 72 hours before they are checked back into our system. Because of this 72 hour quarantine, items may remain on your account for several days after they are returned. We are back-dating all returns so you will NOT accrue late fees on items returned by their due date.
Please contact us if your materials are still showing on your account after more than one week, and check our Reopening FAQ for updates on Library services, including returns and fines.
Johnson County Library will reopen all 14 of its branches to the public on Monday, June 15 with limited services. Hours of operation will be announced next Friday, June 12 as we determine staffing resources. We anticipate opening with reduced hours to allow the Library to sanitize public areas and safely process materials.
Beginning Monday, June 8, you may begin returning materials to your preferred branch. Returns are accepted 24/7 in our exterior book drops, and will continue to be quarantined for 72 hours through June 15 as we work to rebuild staff capacity.
Items checked out prior to our March 15 closure are due June 30, and fines will begin to accrue on these items starting July 1. You may renew items that do not have hold requests.
Initial services are limited to quick browsing, checkouts and computer usage with an emphasis on reduced interactions with staff. Staff will be available for directional questions and help with self-check machines only. Please bring your library card or card number with you for checkout. Services offered at all 14 branches are:
At this time we will not be offering:
We will update you as additional services resume. Please see our updated FAQ for detailed information on specific Library services and safety protocols, including the following:
We strongly encourage both patrons and staff wear masks for the safety of everyone in our buildings.
While there will be no occupancy restrictions for our branches, in accordance with the Board of County Commissioners' reopening guidance, we ask that visitors practice physical distancing of at least six feet between staff and fellow patrons while inside Library buildings. Staff will also be behind plexiglass barriers.
We still encourage patrons, especially those in high-risk categories, to take advantage of our three drive-thru locations at Blue Valley, Lenexa City Center and Monticello branches when possible for contactless holds pick up. We are currently exploring options for contactless holds pick up at all 14 branch locations.
All events will continue to be held virtually this summer, including Summer Reading programming and the Johnson County Library Foundation's annual fundraising event Library Lets Loose on September 12.
Patrons with holds on their account will receive a separate email with additional information on resuming holds and updating pick up locations if desired.
Thank you for your continued support of Johnson County Library!
You may have caught Johnson County Library in the news recently—our Black & Veatch MakerSpace facilitators have been hard at work during our branch closure, running 3D printers from our MakerSpace and JCCC’s Maker Lab 24/7 to make desperately needed PPE for Johnson County healthcare workers. Last week they handed off their first 80 face shields to Johnson County EMS. Assembled from 3D-printed headbands and plastic dividers, the shields will be sanitized and distributed to Johnson County Developmental Supports for immediate use. In addition to the face shields, Library staff from across all departments have sewn nearly 1,000 fabric masks, with another donation to EMS happening later this week.
If you need food assistance during the COVID-19 crisis, Johnson County Library keeps an updated list of area food pantries. We encourage you to call the organization to double-check its hours, as many are operating on different schedules. Local schools have also been passing out school lunches for kids ages 1-18. Many provide breakfasts or a few days of both breakfast and lunch, and homeschoolers are eligible, as well. Check the web pages below for information specific to your area:
As always, our staff are standing by (virtually) for any questions you might have and to offer one-on-one assistance.