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Author Research in Action: Oppenheimer
How do authors know so much about the setting, the professions of their characters, and other real-life details? Well, they do research!
We’re pretty excited about what will be periodically recurring episodes of the podcast we’re calling “Author Research in Action.” We take an award-winning author and let them dive-into conversation with a subject matter expert!
This time, Reference Librarian Helen Hokanson hosts a discussion on the Manhattan Project and so much more. Los Alamos National Laboratory Program Manager and Senior Historian, Alan Carr is paired with author Robert J. Sawyer who’s written a new SciFi/historical fiction/thriller called The Oppenheimer Alternative.
A Great First Week Back
WOW! The stats are in for our first week back in all 14 of our branches – between Monday, June 15 and Sunday, June 21, you checked out 75,569 items! 67,064 returned items were checked back in after completing their 72 hour quarantine, 39,438 new holds were placed, and we welcomed 439 new card holders to Johnson County Library. That’s even with reduced hours and all branches closed on Friday!
We know the atmosphere at our branches is likely a little different than what you’re used to, but we’re so glad to see your faces again - even from six feet away and behind a mask! We are researching ways to safely resume additional services and implement new ways to serve our community, and we are always listening to your feedback. Whether you’ve visiting the Library in person or online, staff look forward to helping you find the information, materials and services you need.
Rising to the Challenge
We're proud that our Black & Veatch MakerSpace face masks are featured in the Johnson County Museum RISING TO THE CHALLENGE exhibit.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a historic event unlike anything most Johnson Countians have experienced. The exhibit "Rising to the Challenge: Suburban Stength in Difficult Times" highlights how Johnson Countians have responded to challenging times. JoCoMuseum hopes this unique temporary exhibit serves as a source of inspiration, guidance, and strength as Johnson Countians again seek to rise to the challenge.
Friday Featured Artist: Megan Luttrell
Megan Luttrell's music is a classic Midwestern mix of folk, blues and country and yet still more than the sum of these parts. With an instantly recognizable voice in the style of Bonnie Raitt and Melissa Etheridge, Luttrell already has one album under her belt (2016's Broken Bottles) and a recent single called "Miss You." We are fortunate to share an exclusive interview with Luttrell about her music, background and book recommendations, too.
TBT: "Greatness"
Do you want a really great glimpse into great local history? The Great story of the Great Mall of the Great Plains in the Great city of Olathe in the Great state of Kansas is, well ... GREAT!
The great jocohistory folks have put together a great 2-part story you do not want to miss!
Remember, jocohistory.org is the place to time travel through local history. Be sure to follow our hashtag on Twitter!
Happy Throwback Thursday! Some call it the best day of the week.
You are Very Satisfied and We are Elated!
The Library received the highest satisfaction rating from County residents in a recent community survey (PDF), with 85 percent of respondents saying they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with our service. This is up from 2019, when 81 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with Library services, and is ten percentage points higher than the national average for libraries. Along with Med-Act, Parks and Recreation, and Motor Vehicle Division, the Library was also rated as one of the top four most important services that the County provides.
A huge THANK YOU to our patrons for supporting the Library year after year, and to our staff, whose passion and dedication to our community shines through in all that you do!