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Intro to Sewing - Mask Making
Join the MakerSpace crew for "Intro to Sewing - Mask Making"!
There are four opportunities to take this class this Fall. Register now »
Featured Artist Friday: JD Daniel
JD Daniel (they/he) is a composer, singer, writer and queer activist whose music has roots in everything from contemporary choral and vocal music to electronica and video-game music. Since they started composing at age 14, Daniel has earned a musicology-focused B.A. in Oxbridge Music and Philosophy from William Jewell College, where he was a Choral Scholar, touring internationally and recording multiple albums.
Featured Artist Friday: JD Daniel
JD Daniel (they/he) is a composer, singer, writer and queer activist whose music has roots in everything from contemporary choral and vocal music to electronica and video-game music. Since they started composing at age 14, Daniel has earned a musicology-focused B.A. in Oxbridge Music and Philosophy from William Jewell College, where he was a Choral Scholar, touring internationally and recording multiple albums.
Moo then Boo!
No matter what you consider to be a great costume—even if it's dressing up as cows like these Shawnee Mission Rural High School kids in 1938—it's never too early to start thinking about that Halloween costume.
Remember, jocohistory.org is the place to time travel through local history. Be sure to follow our hashtag on Twitter!
Library Lets Loose Attracts Hundreds
Johnson County Library Foundation President Vickie Trott summed up one craving in 2020 as she addressed attendees at this year’s annual Library gala: “In these unusual times,” Trott said, “we need to let loose however we can until we can let loose in person again.”
And that’s exactly what happened Sept. 12, with the “virtual” Library Lets Loose celebration and fund-raiser. Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, this year’s event could not be held in-person and pivoted to online. Using the On24 platform, the Foundation hosted an event that still featured fun activities, capped off by a virtual dance club where people were encouraged to get their groove on from the comfort of their own homes.
“I am truly amazed at the ingenuity and willingness of so many people to look at the possibility to keep our Library Lets Loose event an ongoing tradition,” Trott told participants.
Honorary co-chairs Cindy Wallis-Lage and Kent Lage greeted people from their home. “Even in this time where we are sheltered in place a lot and we don’t get to go out to the places that we like to go, the Library is still there as a great resource,” Wallis-Lage said. “We hope you have a fantastic night and really remember how much the Library means to all of us.”
In past years, the gala has attracted 44 sponsors and about 500 participants. This year, the event still garnered 44 sponsors and more than 500 attendees. Feedback was very positive. The event was free to register but many people and companies still made generous donations. “As a Foundation, we are grateful for the brave Library Lovers who were willing to try an online fundraising event,” said Foundation Executive Director Stephanie Stollsteimer. “We are thrilled with the outpouring of financial support as well.”
Youth Book Clubs
Welcome educators and readers!
Join us this Summer for one (or more!) of our Youth Book Clubs! Register for these events on our web calendar.
Bookmark this page because we'll be posting our monthly book club guides (coming soon). Please feel free to use these resources as the basis for your own book discussions or lesson plans.
Find reading guides for our previous Youth Book Clubs »
Events for Writers
Does waiting for The Writers Conference make your pen hand restless?
Several writing programs which were originally meant for that exciting weekend this November, will now be offered as one-time, online Zoom sessions. These unique writing programs are scheduled September through December with a limited number of seats.
These programs cover topics ranging from Starting a Writing Project with Shannon Thompson (9/16) to Elements of a Sentence: Building Sentences for Rhetorical Effect with Amy Woods Butler (10/3).
Need publishing advice? Look no further, Dave Burns has your back with Publishing: What are My Options? (10/21) and Tiffany White can give you tips on how to get connected with other writers in How to Use Social Media to Connect with Other Writers (12/2). We have something for every writer at any level!
Find a complete list of our events for writers here! With these amazing programs, the long wait until The Writers Conference -- is over.
For Writers
Hey you! Yes, you, human with untapped writing potential and ideas that need to be set free. Suffering from writer’s block? Don’t know where to get started on your writing journey? Did you know you can be published without winning one of our writing contests or finding a publisher?
The JoCoWrites Blog is the perfect place to let your creativity flow with the monthly prompt. Here is how it works:
- Head on over to the For Writers page on the Johnson County Public Library website.
- Read the new prompt for the month and start brainstorming.
- Write your piece, and submit your work.
We welcome writers of any level to share their creativity and thoughts with the community through the JoCoWrites Blog. You can submit under your name or anonymously if you choose. While the prompt changes every month, submissions for past prompts still remain viewable!
Featured Artist Friday: Jill Westra
Kansas City, Missouri, resident Jill Westra is a remarkable singer and performer whose songs follow the deep roots of Americana and country music. Whether leading her own trio, Jill Westa & Them KC Boys, or duo harmonizing in Distant Cousins and Westrafox, Westra lets her singing take the spotlight.