Readers Services

From classic literature to contemporary cinema, the Library offers a number of ways to discover stories celebrating the African American experience. As we commemorate Black History Month, check out a selection of recommended books and browse the collection of films available through the Library's free...

Using the Library’s SHELF HELP service, Coach Read’s roster of MVP librarians can give you a personalized reading playbook, building a winning team of book titles tailored to your tastes. Get your reading game on!  

Saying 2020 has been a challenging year is an epic understatement. But amid the ongoing difficulties (and between rounds of cleaning and sanitizing), our staff discovered books that offer moments of enlightenment, delight, enjoyment, and empowerment. Check out the some of the reads that got us through these past months...

What nonfiction books were winners with Library staff in 2020?  From pop culture potboilers to heavy-hitting history reads, check out the favorites that lined staff members' personal shelves this past year.  

What fiction books were winners with Library staff in 2020?  From pop culture potboilers to heavy-hitting history reads, check out the favorites that lined our staff's personal shelves this past year.  

Wondering what to give the picky reader on your gift list? You need Holiday Gift Shelf Help. The reading experts at the Kansas City Public Library have suggestions for book lovers of all ages in all genres.  

Nothing comes between readers and their books. Not even a pandemic. “One of the first things the Library did after closing our physical locations in response to COVID-19 was start looking for ways to maintain our connection with readers,” says Kaite Stover, director of readers’ services at the Kansas City Public Librar...

This year’s Summer Reading Program invites readers of all ages to LIVE THE FANTASTIC and experience the power of storytelling. Behold your quest: Read any five books between June 1 and July 31, 2020. Pick stories in your preferred format, log them online, and earn a re...

Through Shelf Help, our librarians can guide you through these socially distanced times.

Books make great holiday gifts, but choosing the right one can be daunting. The Library can toss you a gift-giving lifeline with our Gift Shelf Help reading recommendation service. Tell us a bit about the special reader in your life (or yourself!), and our experts will prepare a customized list of tast...