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Staff Picks, Free Lunch Exhibition, Music
We dedicated this episode of Did you hear? to Staff picks! Find out what our professional readers approve. You can find Staff Picks at jocolibrary.org/we-recommend
Today Dave Carson, Bryan Voell and Michelle Holden host the Minister of Information and his partner in art Sara Star in our “What’s Happening” segment. Spoiler alert! They’re related. They discuss their exhibition and programs based on the topic of food insecurity. Then, Matt Fuegen joins Bryan & Dave to talk music we recommend.
Throwback Thursday: Lackman Library
To begin the history of the Lackman Library, one must delve back into the very early history of the Johnson County Library. Shortly after its 1953 founding, the Library opened the Lenexa Branch on November 2, 1954 in the Lenexa Grade School at 13400 W. 94th Street. It offered about 3,000 books for checkout and was open for only two hours a week--2:00 to 4:00 on Saturdays. Like all the others it was staffed by volunteers and offered donated materials. The most recent US Census in 1950 had indicated a Lenexa population of 803. That population soon began to burgeon. When the Library’s budget allowed, the branch’s hours were increased and it was moved into a rented storefront in downtown Lenexa.
In 1967, a bond issue was approved by voters to build the Oak Park Library, among other improvements. This branch at 9500 Bluejacket was intended to serve the library needs of the “southwest” portion Johnson County’s developing suburban region, including Lenexa. In preparation for the new branch, the Lenexa Library was closed in 1967. The city of Lenexa was promised that someday there would again be a library within its city limits. The Oak Park Library opened in 1970, after being housed in temporary space near 95th and Antioch. The population continued to grow and soon the need for a new library west of I-35 was apparent and was included in the 1979 facilities plan.
Ground was broken for the Lackman Library on March 5, 1986. The building was dedicated on November 14, 1986 and opened to the public on November 17. It opened with a collection of 22,000 items and was the first Johnson County Library location without a card catalog, as the Library made a leap into the computer age. During its first full year open—1987—the Lackman Library circulated 99,220 items.
An expansion of Lackman was never far from the minds of staff during the planning and opening of the Shawnee Library in 1992, the Leawood Pioneer Library in 1994, the Central Resource Library in 1995, and the renovated Antioch Library in 1996. By August 10, 1996 when the Lackman Library closed for expansion, it barely fit its building. The new facility, three times as large as its previous incarnation with almost 18,000 square feet, re-opened on August 12, 1997.
Featured Staff Booklist: What the What: Brains
Want to learn how the mind works, or want to change how yours does? Check out this list »
Music Monday Local Spotlight
Scott Hrabko's music is equal parts folk, swing, blues and country with a twist that's unique to Kansas City. His second album and his first with his backing band The Rabbits, Biscuits and Gravity, was released in early 2015 to great acclaim. Working in a musical vein similar to such luminaries as Loudon Wainwright III, Randy Newman and Lyle Lovett, Hrabko describes in his interview how he learned to "trust my own ears" with his own style.
Meet the Author: Leanne Brown
You have two chances today to meet author Leanne Brown and hear her tips for a healthy, budget-friendly diet.
Break Bread without Breaking the Bank with author Leanne Brown Monday, March 11, 3pm @ Blue Valley Library
Leanne Brown, author of Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/Day, will offer tips and tools to elevate the quality of your home-cooked meals without elevating your spending.
and
Meet the Author: Leanne Brown Monday, March 11, 6:30pm @ Central Resource Library
Presented with the Food Policy Council of Johnson County.
National Genealogy Day
We've been celebrating National Genealogy Day with the Johnson County Genealogical Society all day at Central Resource Library. Here are some resources you can use to begin (or continue!) your own heritage journey »
Learn Languages, Genealogy Day, and Clever Candy Lit!
We dedicate this episode of Did you hear? to learning a new Language! Use your Library card to access Mango Languages or Rosetta Stone! Learn everything from Arabic to Yiddish on your computer, tablet or smartphone!
In today’s episode, Gregg Winsor & Melissa Horak-Hern sit down with Stefanie Estes to explain just what the heck Clever Candy Lit is in our “We Recommend” discussion! But first, it’s “What’s Happening.” Dave Carson hosts Amanda Wahlmier and her guest, Angela Field, to talk about Genealogy Day!
Throwback Thursday
Well, sometimes spring can be an ornery cuss! There are years it's just unwilling to come when called. Here in Johnson County, we just attach it to a tractor because, hey, the parade is waiting!
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