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Best of 2018 from Your Librarians
Our Johnson County librarians read a lot. Seriously: A LOT. One of our staff emailed around to find out what books that have been released in 2018 that our staff think that our adult patrons absolutely need to know about. We compiled this list, divided them into ten different categories, with five titles for each list. No matter if you’re looking for a selection for your book club, ideas for a gift for the winter holidays, or just for something good to read, we’ve got you covered. Be sure to check out our Staff Picks for other great suggestions and the NoveList database for readalikes for your favorite novels.
Our Johnson County librarians read a lot. Seriously: A LOT. One of our staff emailed around to find out what books that have been released in 2018 that our staff think that our adult patrons absolutely need to know about. We compiled this list, divided them into ten different categories, with five titles for each list. No matter if you’re looking for a selection for your book club, ideas for a gift for the winter holidays, or just for something good to read, we’ve got you covered. Be sure to check out our Staff Picks for other great suggestions and the... Continue »
Our Makers' Top Books of 2018
Whether you're interested in getting into the Maker movement or just like to read fascinating nonfiction, you'll find something in our Makers' list of favorite books of 2018 »
Whether you're interested in getting into the Maker movement or just like to read fascinating nonfiction, you'll find something in our Makers' list of favorite books of 2018 »
Theatre from Head to Toe with Brad Shaw
Actors don’t just speak their lines, they move around a lot, too. Some are known as “triple threats”: they can sing, dance and act. This could be the beginning of your kid becoming a triple threat or . . . a triple superpower. In this session, little ones can learn to command voice and body on stage through a series of fun games and exercises. The workshop is taught by well-known performer Brad Shaw. Arrive 15 minutes early to get a free ticket. Best for grades K-5.
Actors don’t just speak their lines, they move around a lot, too. Some are known as “triple threats”: they can sing, dance and act. This could be the beginning of your kid becoming a triple threat or . . . a triple superpower. In this session, little ones can learn to command voice and body on stage through a series of fun games and exercises. The workshop is taught by well-known performer Brad Shaw. Arrive 15 minutes early to get a free ticket. Best for grades K-5.
Why I Give: Josephine Foote
Where to begin? Companionship is a good place. The characters in books were my earliest friends, as our neighborhood was short on children. Some of these literary friends were animals, which was fun. Books brought adventure and magic like houses made of candy and carpets that flew. You could time-travel back to ancient Egypt or China. You could learn to draw, to make things, to read a foreign language. The library was a Treasure House!
When I was a child we didn’t yet have television, and Johnson County didn’t yet have a public library. If my mother couldn’t drive me, I thought nothing about walking from Old Mission Hills to the Kansas City public library in Southwest High School. I have always had a love of libraries.
Books provided such joy and education that it was an easy decision to choose librarianship as an occupation. I got a Master of Library Science from Simmons College in Boston and later spent many happy years as the reference librarian at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO. I loved learning something new every day. A reference librarian doesn’t necessarily know the answers but sure knows where to find them.
Today I live in Cambridge, MA, and most of my family still lives in Kansas City, so I’m back to visit three times a year. I always visit the library and am grateful for all the cookbooks I’ve borrowed and for the online databases I use like ValueLine. It’s impressive how many wonderful community outreach programs the Library provides. It’s amazing all the new ideas that come through libraries!
Why do I give to the Johnson County Library Foundation?
As libraries evolve and grow, I believe it’s more important now than ever that the community gives back to support these services. One of my favorite quotes is on the Boston Public Library building: “The Commonwealth requires the education of the people as the safeguard of order and liberty.” A strong democracy is dependent on an educated citizenry.
Where to begin? Companionship is a good place. The characters in books were my earliest friends, as our neighborhood was short on children. Some of these literary friends were animals, which was fun. Books brought adventure and magic like houses made of candy and carpets that flew. You could time-travel back to ancient Egypt or China. You could learn to draw, to make things, to read a foreign language. The library was a Treasure House!
When I was a child we didn’t yet have television, and Johnson County didn’t yet have a public library. If my mother couldn’t drive me, I thought nothing about walking from Old Mission Hills to the Kansas City public library in Southwest High School. I have always had a love of libraries.
... Continue »
eBook Anthologies
Need a quick break? Get away from holiday craziness and sit down with an eBook full of essays, poems, or stories just the right length »
Need a quick break? Get away from holiday craziness and sit down with an eBook full of essays, poems, or stories just the right length »
Let Us Entertain You
We've got you covered with our eLibrary.
- Play some jazzy tunes to complete your holiday party #aesthetic
- Wow your guests with your savoir faire as you pick a streaming indie flick that has juuust enough edge
- Snag a downloadable audiobook to keep the whole fam entertained on your roadtrip
- Phone-a-friend for emergency holiday meal help with Cook's Illustrated, Cook's Country, One-Dish Meals and more with downloadable magazines
All this with your Library card number and PIN. Happy holidays!
We've got you covered with our eLibrary.
- Play some jazzy tunes to complete your holiday party #aesthetic
- Wow your guests with your savoir faire as you pick a streaming indie flick that has juuust enough edge
- Snag a downloadable audiobook to keep the whole fam entertained on your roadtrip
- Phone-a-friend for emergency holiday meal help with Cook's Illustrated, Cook's Country, One-Dish Meals and more with ... Continue »
Holiday Cooking Display Holiday Cooking Display
Holiday Cooking Display Holiday Cooking Display
Holiday Recipes from Us to You
Over at Oak Park, our Librarian Andrew is helping us all get ready for the holidays. Each year, he collects recipes from his coworkers and provides copies of them on a holiday themed display. This year our display-maker extraordinaire Angelica lent a helping hand. Just check out that gorgeous napkin folding!
Here are the featured recipes. How could you resist some of these names? Happy cooking!
- Stefanie's Naughty Bars
- Roxanne's Party Potatoes
- Megan's Classic Green Bean Casserole
- Lisa's Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole with Sweet ‘n’ Savory Bacon Pecans
- Gladis' Easy Tamales
- Elaine's Slow Cooker Hot Spiced Apple CIder
- Angelica's Olivier (Russian Salad)
- Andrew's Salted Caramel Cookie Crunch Cheesecake
- Adriana's Scrumptious Apple Pie
Over at Oak Park, our Librarian Andrew is helping us all get ready for the holidays. Each year, he collects recipes from his coworkers and provides copies of them on a holiday themed display. This year our display-maker extraordinaire Angelica lent a helping hand. Just check out that gorgeous napkin folding!
Here are the featured recipes. How could you resist some of these names? Happy cooking!
Join us Today at Leawood!Teens: Explore Your Creative Writing Skills
We're inviting teens to explore creative writing with us. Come workshop your essays, fiction or poetry and enjoy some treats, too. Writers of all genres are welcome. Best for teens 12-18. We meet today at Leawood Pioneer Library, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Be sure to check out our schedule of teen creative writing workshops!
We're inviting teens to explore creative writing with us. Come workshop your essays, fiction or poetry and enjoy some treats, too. Writers of all genres are welcome. Best for teens 12-18. We meet today at Leawood Pioneer Library, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Be sure to check out our schedule of teen creative... Continue »
Have you read the news?
Dear News Enthusiasts,
Here’s your kicker: A Library Card grants you unlimited access to the news of the world! You need to know what’s being exported from New Dehli and who's marching into New Orleans. Human interest stories, editorials, investigative reporting, even the fluffiest of candy floss fluff. You want it all! You crave copy. Paper. Digital. It doesn’t matter. Let’s face it, you care about what’s “above the fold” as much as what’s considered “above board.”
Choose your news:
- The New York Times
- The Kansas City Star
- World News
- Regional Newspapers
- Kansas City Business Journal
- Wall Street Journal
- Magazines, Journals and other Newspapers
Fake News? Fact Checking? We’ve got the data:
Dear News Enthusiasts,
Here’s your kicker: A Library Card grants you unlimited access to the news of the world! You need to know what’s being exported from New Dehli and who's marching into New Orleans. Human interest stories, editorials, investigative reporting, even the fluffiest of candy floss fluff. You want it all! You crave copy. Paper. Digital. It doesn’t matter. Let’s face it, you care about what’s “above the fold” as much as what’s considered “above board.”
Choose your news:
Throwback Thursday Holiday Hike Through History!
You'll want to crank up the volume for this holiday hike through history! Trees, snow, lights, joy, family, wonder! What did Santa Bring? A new wood burning stove? A transistor radio? A dollhouse bigger than you? Discover the stories behind these images and details at jocohistory.org It's your place for Johnson County, Kansas History!
You'll want to crank up the volume for this holiday hike through history! Trees, snow, lights, joy, family, wonder! What did Santa Bring? A new wood burning stove? A transistor radio? A dollhouse bigger than you? Discover the stories behind these images and details at jocohistory.org It's your place for Johnson County, Kansas History!