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Battery production

Battery production at the Olathe Delco Batteries plant. 1955 - 1959.

Olathe Oldies

It’s another grand Throwback Thursday when we encourage you to time travel through Johnson County's history. JoCoHistory is a collaborative presentation of the history from the Johnson County Museum, Johnson County Library and many JoCoHistory partners. Explore historical photographs and documents about the people, places and organizations of Johnson County, Kansas, from the 19th century to the present.

Collection spotlight: Olathe Public Library

About this collection: A number of images from the Olathe Daily Mirror (published 1861 - 1959) and other local sources. The photographs date from the mid-twentieth century and depict scenes of daily life, including weddings, award ceremonies and include a number of studio portraits of individuals.

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Prepare for your next profession!

Brainfuse JobNow has several job preparation tools:

  • Live job coaches daily 2 -11 p.m.
  • Resume templates, tips and feedback within one business day
  • Interview sample questions and tips
  • SkillSurfer for study resources and test prep
  • eParachute to identify potential majors and career paths

Plus access to create an account with Optimal Resume online suite to create and manage all of your job-search documents. Sign up for your own Learning Account to review past sessions, receive expert feedback, save practice tests and more.

Learn more about how to use Brainfuse JobNow »

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Why I Give: Ava Christie

Growing up overseas, Ava Christie learned the value of libraries at a young age. She remembered finding the local library with her family as they moved around to different places. Libraries were special, familiar places filled with books and materials that inspired her.  “All you need is a library card, and the world is your oyster”, remarked Ava as the inspiration is ever-present for her today. 

In college in Douglas County, KS, Ava has fond memories of the library being a strong and important part of the culture and community. The Library would continue to play a significant role in her studies through her master’s degree and PhD programs as she utilized Inter Library Loan resources for her research and thesis.

As a mom, Ava raised her kids with her same love for the Library, which she referred to as “a best friend.”  Frequenting the Corinth and Central branches for books and programs, she noted the Library is a place which extends far beyond books, and is a place to meet people, access media and audio/visual materials, large print materials and travel books. Travel continues to play a key role in Ava’s life both personally and professionally and she visits libraries everywhere she goes. She has noticed over time that newer libraries seem to be redefined as a focal point, accessible, and transparent with large windows to look in as well as see out.

Entering her 15th year as a volunteer on the Foundation’s board of directors, and starting her tenure as president, Ava credits the strengths of the Johnson County Library system and its key role in our county and communities for her continued involvement and support. She believes the Library has always been a place of diversity and inclusivity, citing the teen publication elementia as an example for young people of various ethnic, economic and cultural backgrounds to be highlighted. She adds that the Library is an exciting and fulfilling place to be and is reflective of the community it supports. Ava believes the community in turn supports the Library because we build and strengthen literacy and awareness, and to inform people is to empower them.

Looking to the future, Ava sees our Library system continuing to be modern and forward-thinking and to stay relevant and responsive with ever-changing community needs. “Johnson County Library is not standing still”, says Ava enthusiastically, “and there isn’t another entity in the world of charitable organizations where you can make such a profound difference.  The Library provides equal access to information to everyone, and everyone is welcome.  Libraries are the key to helping people of all ages open and grow their world. The openness and availability 24/7 are unique to libraries as nothing else exists this way.”

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Black History Month on Kanopy

Celebrate the pioneers, leaders, and innovators within the Black community through the stories offered in a new curated film collection presented by Kanopy for Black History Month.

This collection of narrative and documentary films shines a light on influential individuals including civil rights leaders, legal scholars, musicians, athletes, actors, artists and more, and provides perspective on contemporary and historical events.

Go to Kanopy »

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This Week at the Library

This week at the Library, you can join us at:

Library OnDemand Available anytime you like

Your doorway into live and archived programs. Arts & Culture, Career & Finance, Community Matters, Writers and more!

Citizenship Civics – Tuesday, Feb. 8, 9:30-11 a.m.

Pass the U.S. naturalization interview and citizenship exam with help from the Library! Our free online classes provide two levels of coursework focused on the English language, American history and civics knowledge. Assistance with the citizenship application is also available. Participants review citizenship study materials, practice listening and responding to citizenship interview questions, access online practice tests and receive guidance throughout the application process.

The Women’s Employment Network – Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2-3 p.m.

The Women’s Employment Network (WEN) helps women earn a brighter future for themselves, their families, and our community. Through their program of individual services tailored to your situation, WEN supports women who are ready to make a change in their professional life. If you feel isolated or frustrated in your job search or are looking for a career change, the WEN program is for you! Kim Barnes, WEN’s Community Engagement Coordinator, will explain how the program can provide you the support you need to achieve your personal and professional goals.

Community Matters Book Club – Thursday, Feb. 10, 6-7 p.m.

Are you looking for spaces to explore identity and the world around us?  This intergenerational book club will provide kids and families a place to read about the unique experiences of diverse characters and historical events. 

Each session, we will provide a book for you to keep, along with an invitation to join us as a family for discussion, questioning, and community building. Copies of the book will be provided to participants who live in Johnson County. Best for parents or guardians, and their children ages 8-12.

Legislative Coffee Series – Saturday, Feb. 12, 10-11 a.m.

Discover what's percolating in the Kansas Legislature. Representatives and Senators with constituents in Johnson County will discuss the new legislative session, followed by Q&A. You bring the questions!

  • Representative Jo Ella Hoye, District 17
  • Representative Mari-Lynn Poskin, District 20
  • Representative Rui Xu, District 25
  • Representative Timothy Johnson, District 38

And much more happening this week »

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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!

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Archiving Architecture

It’s another grand Throwback Thursday where we encourage you to time travel through Johnson County's history. JoCoHistory is a collaborative presentation of the history from the Johnson County Museum, Johnson County Library and many JoCoHistory partners. Explore historical photographs and documents about the people, places and organizations of Johnson County, Kansas, from the 19th century to the present.

Collection spotlight: Johnson County Museum Historic Preservation Survey

About this collection: Begun in 1991, the Historic Preservation Survey is a collection of photos documenting the architectural style and condition of more than 10,000 pre-1950 homes across Johnson County. The original photos are owned by the Johnson County Museum.

Can you tell us more about this image?

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Take a Look at The Open Book

The Open Book is out today! 

What is the Open Book Newsletter? It provides updates on Library branches, upcoming events and programs, service highlights and how the Library is evolving to meet your needs.

Have you subscribed

In this issue you'll find information about our service of the month, a report on Central Resource Library reopening, a story on new offices for our Development Department (Library Volunteers, Friends of Johnson County Library and the Johnson County Library Foundation), a fun DYK and upcoming happenings including our featured event: Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture Series: Journalist Yamiche Alcindor.