About
Location :
Added by Jopie, at 10 November 2015
Opening Hours
- Monday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 PM
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21 Reviews
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11 October 2021
Massive public library with everything you could ever want or need. The children's library is great and the rooftop area is so calm and relaxing. The staff at this location are very friendly and helpful. I wish I lived closer so I could visit more often.
It seems most of the bad reviews about this location center around people not wearing masks and being asked to leave. Use common sense and wear your mask and these issues won't arise.response / report this review -
12 August 2021
I wasn't happy that they made my boyfriend leave because he took his mask off and didn't even give him one warning they just made him leave immediately. The reason we were there was very important and wanable to do it and it says back a lot all because he took his mask off for a split second. It was very unprofessional!
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03 August 2021
Glad to see the library is opened again. I was able to take care of returns and renew my library cards. The best thing about the library is the access to their catalog but also the resources they have for educators. I can't wait to get kids excited about the public library and the desk clerks in the children's section are super helpful and knowledgeable about how I can better support my learners. There is parking adjacent to the library.
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25 July 2021
I have never been one to get excited about going to a library, however the Kansas City Public Library is a place I’d recommend visiting. There is something to appeal to all ages. In addition to the nice selection of books, the building is rich in history and nicely documents the building’s origins as First National Bank.
There are multiple exhibits that range from informative and historical to artistic beauty and intrigue. My favorite exhibit was the Fourth Grade Project which interviews children in the US and all over the world share and documents their stories and answers to the questions: Who do you live with? What are you afraid of? What do you wish for?
There are 5 floors with plenty of private seating and a children’s library. The rooftop deck provides a nice view, with a few outdoor seating options and greenery. If you prefer to engage in a friendly game of chess, there are life size pieces and an extra large board.
For art enthusiasts you will find multiple art pieces through the building that highlight both local and famous artists. Even the parking garage structure and stairwell have been built to resemble books. Would definitely recommend as you could easily spend a few hours here, admission is free and they validate parking as long as you park in the library’s parking garage.response / report this review -
18 July 2021
I moved to Kansas City recently and went into the library today to get my library card. Met the nicest, friendliest people there. Plus the building is absolutely beautiful! I'm sure I will be a regular visitor.
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10 April 2018
One of the must visit places in Kansas City. There is museum inside it too. There is also good play place for kids. You may go to top floor by using elevator, and see the downtown from there.
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27 March 2018
Friendly staff. I've just recently started going there again. I'm a regular here. Prefer them or northeast branch over Plaza any day because of the rude staff at Plaza. They don't act like I'm bothering them when asking for help or to check out.
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22 February 2018
This is a lovely location. Check out their new audio books A Damsel In Distress episode two by Sean Diddy Combs and Stalked By A Serial Stalker and Hilton Hotel Secrets by Donald Lee Starr.
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20 January 2018
I come to this branch multiple times a week. People are always kind and the library is always clean and inviting. Lots of places to sit and read/work. Free WiFi. Right on the Main Street Trolley.
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22 November 2017
Absolutely GORGEOUS building and inside. Great place to study. Don’t forget to go up to the rooftop park and take a look at the great view and play a game of life size chess!
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07 October 2017
This library is overall quite wonderful, save for one fairly significant concern. The building is magnificent, the selection is great, the additional facilities are top-notch, and staff seem generally enthused to help and accommodate every patron. Unfortunately, all of these positives are hampered by a fairly important contributing factor for any library: unchecked noise.
I frequently visit here to work and study in quiet, but lately that has become very difficult due to an array of substantial distractions. It has become all too common to hear children screaming, or an hour-long conversation on speakerphone, or - and I promise I'm not making this up - someone using the perimeter as a walking track and blasting Spotify from their phone rather than putting in headphones.
Of course, the real solution is for patrons to find some self-awareness and step outside if they need to make a lot of noise. Maybe new policies need to be created, or a pointed effort led by those in the position to enforce those policies that already exist, but the environment is often far, far from study-friendly.
To my point, as I write this on the 4th Floor (a floor labeled specifically as a "Quiet Study" area), there's a lively conversation about fifteen feet away, a couple playing 50 Cent’s “Lollipop" over their iPhone speaker, and a young child screaming bloody murder around the corner. Of course, plenty of parents need to bring their children along to the library, and I have no more right to be here as any other person, but it’d be nice if there was at least an attempt being made to keep the noise to what is traditionally expected at a library.
In short: bring a pair of noise-canceling headphones.
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As a sidenote, to the reviewers who think the homeless are "dirtying up their library", please go look up the definition of "public". That means *everyone* deserves equal access. Yes, I'll agree that everyone has to abide by the rules as well - that's the crux of my point - but the complaints on here are simply phobic and ostracizing of the homeless.
In fact, counter to those reviewers, I'd go so far as to say the homeless are some of the last patrons here that I would implicate in making it a noisy environment. If you're going to insist on blaming a specific group, it's generally students, self-aggrandizing parents, and others with no personal awareness who cause the most distractions to their fellow patrons. As an example (and because it makes me feel a little better to publicly shame them, I'll admit), I've attached a pic of the two obnoxious *students* (notice the backpacks, textbooks, and UMKC gear? i.e.: not homeless folks) who were playing music over their phones for >1 hour.
Have some compassion, or at least some respect.response / report this review -
16 August 2017
My kids love the children's area. It's neat and clean and has multiple creative activities for them to engage in in addition to reading. I highly recommend!
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11 August 2017
KC landmark and not your ordinary library. Some really great spaces so make sure you explore. There's a reason it keeps showing up on lists.
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03 August 2017
Great library. Helpful staff. Large selection of graphic novels, TV series, older and foreign movies . Rotating art exhibits, including historical photography collections. See Arturo in the Vault for any film recommendations. Up to date computer area and free Wi-Fi. Cafeteria on-site. Security staff all hours. Cons: people camping out on chairs, talking loudly occasionally.
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01 August 2017
If you have never been to the downtown public library, you need to make plans for a visit. Very interesting, lots to see and do. It's worth your time!
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12 April 2017
This library is so beautiful and has a vast collection of books. Don't be afraid to ask the librarians for help - it's a big place! And definitely check out the roof if weather permits.
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24 October 2016
Children's section is amazing and extremely kid friendly staff. Always activities going on while still promoting reading.
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14 August 2016
What a beautiful Library! It is so unique with the Books parking structure (which I originally though wasss the library), and their rooftop area. I was surprised we could go to the top floor to see it!
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12 July 2016
Great kids section! Love that they have a coffeeshop downstairs too.
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07 February 2016
Beautiful, historic building. The security staff so nice and so welcoming. The Library staff, a few nice, but most are rude and could care less about being cordial. The biggest issue that this library needs to overcome is the influx of homeless who line up outside the doors each day after they are booted out of the City Mission. They take over all the computers and pretty much the entire third floor commons/reading area as well as any electrical outlets to charge their cell phones. Every table, computer and bathroom stall is occupied almost consistently throughout the day. Last week I walked into the men's room to find a man in his underwear and only his underwear washing himself at the sink. Very hard to find a quiet place to read, work, research, whatever. This is not a safe place for a young single woman or your children to be without someone looking out for them.
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17 November 2015
Great downtown location, huge selection of info & books. The cafe located inside near the entrance is always a great place to grab a quick bite, they offer fresh cookies & other cafe items. The building itself is a Kansas City landmark & the vault room on the lower level is a great experience for children. The top floor holds the Missouri Valley Room where everything about Missouri & KC can be found dating back to the early 1800's
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