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Merriam Plaza Library Groundbreaking
Johnson County Library began construction on its newest branch, the Merriam Plaza Library, after a groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 29.
Construction Manager Titan Built has mobilized to the site. Their first few activities have included securing the construction site for safety and beginning sitework.
The new building, co-located on a campus with the Merriam Community Center, is expected to open in 2024. The 15,000-square-foot branch will replace the much-loved but outdated Antioch Library, which has served Johnson County since 1956 at the corner of Antioch Road and Shawnee Mission Parkway. Staff and the collection will move from the existing location to the new building.
Read about the project on the FAQ, and check back on the Library’s website and social media sites for construction progress photos and updates.
Teen Pick: The Light at the Bottom of the World
Teens and fans of Young Adult literature! Looking for something new to read? Check out this 5-star review from our Teen Contributor Isabel.
The Light at the Bottom of the World
This was a thrilling, incredible, sci-fi novel that I thought was like a good mix of “The Hunger Games”, “1984”, and “Waterworld”. Our protagonist in this story is Leyla McQueen who is a 16-year-old “Submersible” racer. In Leyla’s world, the water levels have increased so much that the entire human population is stuck deep underwater in the bottom of what is now a huge ocean. After her father gets wrongly arrested for a crime she knows he didn’t do, she is left alone at home as the constant fear of the ocean, the Anthropoids, and the Earthquakes run through her mind. When she is chosen to race in London’s famous annual marathon, she puts her mind to winning so that she can win the grand prize of a wish- which she would use to ask for her father’s freedom. But, when things start to go wrong, she realizes there are a lot of things she never knew, and that her father’s arrest was more serious than she thought it was. So, she goes into the deepest, dangerous parts of the ocean on her quest to learn these secrets and find the truth. I really enjoyed this book, and I could not put it down. I thought it was well- written and that the storyline was quite creative and interesting. I recommend this to teens who love sci-fi, mystery, or the ocean. I can’t wait to read the sequel to this thrilling Duology.
This Week at the Library
We’re wishing you a holiday season full of cozy reading, listening, watching, learning and making. We look forward to sharing more storytimes, more book discussions and more incredible programs like the annual Writers Conference in 2023.
The Johnson County Library locations will be closed Sunday, Dec. 25 and Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, for Christmas.
Branches will also be closed Sunday, Jan. 1 and Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, for New Year’s Day.
Johnson County Libraries will re-open for regular service hours Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.
Rain or snow, sleet or dark of night: our eLibrary and Library OnDemand are always open and available anytime you like.
Why I Give: Shamita Mahajan
Growing up in India, Shamita Mahajan did not have a structured library system run by cities or the government. Her world of libraries consisted of small neighborhood libraries on each block, often in someone’s home. She remembers spending a great deal of time at these libraries, each of them a comfortable, inviting setting. She and her friends were inspired to create their own small lending libraries as a version of what American kids might have done as putting together a lemonade stand.
Thirty years ago Shamita married Rajiv and they moved to the United States. Here she had her first experience with libraries on a large scale. It was definitely a different experience from that she had growing up.
When she and Rajiv were raising their daughter and son, they utilized many facets of the library. Shamita recalled always having lots of books and videos (the Arthur series in particular) at home when the kids were smaller. It was an important value to instill for their kids early on, the love for reading, and now as adults they both have a strong love of books and reading.
While Shamita loves to physically hold a book, Rajiv is an avid reader of digital books. Working in the information technology field of computer science, once digital books and resources became available, he was hooked.
Both Shamita and Rajiv believe that literacy is vital for children and that libraries offer a healthy space to spend time, engage and come together in a community. Supporting the library is something near and dear to their hearts. One of their missions is to bring kids back to books and away from screens, video games and social media.
Shamita knows the impact libraries can have on a career path, and she’s working on a second MA in psychology to support others in their academic journeys. She wants to help young people find constructive alternatives through books to counterbalance the various digital distractions.
Shamita concludes, “The more you know, the better choices you can make in life.”
Shamita is a Johnson County Library Foundation board member and she and Rajiv are sponsors of Library Lets Loose, the Foundation’s signature annual fundraiser.
JoCoHistory Celebrates Deanna Rose Farmstead Light Show
Local Johnson County Light Show Celebrates 10th Anniversary at the Deanna Rose Farmstead
Holiday lights are a seasonal favorite pastime for many residents in Johnson County. One local offering, the Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this December. Since its inception in 2013, this seasonal sensation has hosted over 1,000,000 people. Starting Nov. 25 and running through Jan. 7, individuals can visit the farmstead at 13800 Switzer and treat themselves to a 45-minute spectacle of lights and music.
Read the full article on the JoCoHistory Blog »
Kaleidoscope of Sound
Our December Did you hear? podcast episode has arrived!
A Kaleidoscope brings to life an endless variety of shapes and patterns. What would a kaleidoscope of sound be like? We dedicate this episode to the harmonious melody of voices, tones, music and other noises that bring the Library to life every day. Explore the world of Library sounds with us in three segments: past, present and future.
- Past: Celebrate the best podcast moments of the year.
- Present: Experience the auditory kaleidoscope created by a mosaic of sounds found in the Library.
- Future: Hear what Elissa Andre, external communication manager, is most looking forward to in 2023!
Tis the Season for Streaming
Kanopy has home viewing for the holidays! Seek out your cinematic experience to help you celebrate the season. Brand new titles, romance under the mistletoe, holiday hilarity, whole family favorites, yuletide classics and seasonal documentaries. Stream all of these and more with your Library card and Kanopy!