Unfettered Letters

Checked out KC Library lately?

If you use the Kansas City Public Library, you know it has blossomed into a major cultural asset for the metro area. The director, R. Crosby Kemper III, is the kind of enlightened anti-bureaucrat who can turn the run-of-the-mill into something culturally vibrant and enriching. Just take a look online, if you haven’t already, at the discussions, recitals and performances the library offers. The online catalog is a jewel.
 
I can recall the old Kansas City Public Library. It was, well, functional. Today Kansas City has one of the best libraries in the country. In October 2008, the library received a national award for museum service.

Anyone using this outstanding resource ought to become a “friend” to show their appreciation and to help keep it culturally turbocharged.

Michael Zygmunt
Kansas City

Support for libraries

It is unfortunate to see such respectable institutions as libraries faced with budget shortfalls and forced into making choices that could affect patron services (1/21, Local, “KC library faces severe cuts”).

Budget shortfalls are often a result of problem legislation and ill-informed decision making. Each year lawmakers fill bills that threaten the livelihood and role that Missouri libraries play in every community. Whether it’s an issue related to tax abatements or assessments, tax increment financing or immigration, libraries are affected.

Now is the time for all Missourians to advocate for libraries. On Feb. 10, the Missouri Library Association will be sponsoring our annual Missouri Library Advocacy Day in Jefferson City. These advocacy efforts help to inform and educate lawmakers about the value of libraries. The public is welcome to join the association as we walk the halls of the state Capitol and meet with lawmakers to stress the importance of library issues.

Libraries serve as the cornerstones of communities. It is crucial to their survival that we advocate. More information can be found at www.molib.org/legislative/day.html

Kimberlee N. Ried
President, Missouri Library Association
Kansas City

Grateful for ‘dream library’

Target and the Heart of America Foundation created a dream library for the learning community at John T. Hartman Elementary School in the Kansas City School District. The project was completed with the utmost impeccability by the hearts and hands of many volunteers who came together in the spirit of sharing and caring.

Students in grades pre-kindergarten through seven squeal with delight each time they enter this magnificent learning center. Two thousand beautiful new books stand proudly on our shelves and quietly invite children to lose themselves among their pages of words and illustrations.

Our ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration were exquisite. We thank you, Target and the Heart of America Foundation. We shall always remember, and love you. We will be forever grateful.

Sherry Schreiber
Literacy coach, John T. Hartman Elementary School
Kansas City

Kudos to KC Library

Congratulations to the Kansas City Public Library on winning the most prestigious national library award (9/30, Local, "Library earns highest honor").

Among the criteria the Institute of Museum and Library Services considered in their selection was the number of free events provided for the public. Two highly anticipated free public events occur this week. John Nichols, author of “Our Media, Not Theirs,” will speak at 7 PM, Friday, at the beautiful Central Library at 14 W. 10th Street.

Then, on Sunday at 2 PM at the Plaza Library at 4801 Main, “Media, Money and the Future of Democracy in America” will feature Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders, KU School of Journalism Associate Dean David Guth and Ruckus’s Mary O’Halloran.

Such events, which enlighten and engage citizens, are surely endeavors the library honor intended to reward.

Mary Lindsay
Kansas City

Support your local librarian

I agree that library director Crosby Kemper III has been successful in his approach toward public scholarship and programming (8/19, Letters, “Kemper makes KC library great”). However, it is important to note that with any good leader, there is usually a terrific staff behind the scenes.

Those who work in public affairs, collection development, branch and outreach services, reference and reader services are to be commended for their diligent work. Without their daily efforts, Kansas City would not have such top-notch libraries.

Currently the Carnegie Corporation, The New York Times and the American Library Association are accepting nominations for the I Love My Librarian Award. Library users are encouraged to recognize their local librarians in public, school, college, community college and university libraries by nominating them for the award. The goal of this award program is to demonstrate how librarians improve the lives of people in their communities.

Please consider making a nomination to recognize the exceptional work of KC’s librarians. More information can be found at: www.ilovelibraries.org

Kimberlee Ried
President-elect, Missouri Library Association
Kansas City

Kemper makes KC library great

Crosby Kemper III gave a terrific lecture one recent evening at the Central Library. His library. I swear. That man has created the most beautiful and dynamic library situation I have ever come across in any city. Lectures, script-in-hand dramas, movies, music — all in addition to a great book collection — and resources arranged so well that people are always there. It’s hard to find a seat sometimes. And cafes, too. I could live there happily.

In a city that tends more toward being a pretty girl than a smart one, the Kansas City’s Library’s Central and Plaza locations are a unique, marvelous, always-free resource for culture and intellectual fun.

Sometimes it is just good to hear all about someone else’s passion, be that passion Winston Churchill or Preston Sturges or Italian mobsters in Kansas City’s heyday or schools in the rough urban core. Everyone should go to the library and listen in. Go to a movie. Hear some music. And if you see him, tell Mr. Kemper that he makes Kansas City great.

Weber Reeff
Kansas City

Appreciation for librarians

I would like to see Kansas City dedicate an “Appreciation of Librarians Day” that would be celebrated every year. Librarians have broadened minds, kept people informed and of course provided reading that entertains.

I have fond memories of when I was very little and my older sister Frances would take me to the North-East Library, then in Northeast High School building. We walked almost a mile to check out books. I remember when I got my first library card and the librarian treated me like I’d grown-up. Getting that card was like discovering gold! I wish I had saved it.

Over these many years, I have used the Kansas City Library not only for checking out books, but with the help of the librarians at the Missouri Valley Room, I have learned so much about Kansas City’s history. And the reference department has never failed to find an answer to a question that I’ve called about.

Let’s celebrate those people who work at all libraries. We owe them that tribute.

Dory DeAngelo
Kansas City

Thank your librarian

Thank you, Lewis Diuguid, for “Librarians often don’t get credit they deserve” (1/30, Opinion).

As one who became a librarian by accident, it has been a challenge for me to counter stereotypes about the profession.

Librarians are information professionals, often with graduate degrees, who follow a code of ethics set forth by the American Library Association. We pride ourselves on knowing how to find information in a variety of mediums including the Internet, databases, magazines, journals and, yes, even books.

The ability to sift through information quickly and find the morsel of data that a patron is seeking is truly a skill.

In an effort to remind the public and lawmakers about our value, librarians across Missouri will descend upon Jefferson City on Feb. 12 to educate and inform as a part of Missouri Library Advocacy Day.

Additionally, the American Library Association has launched an “I Love My Librarian” campaign to coincide with Valentine’s Day.

While these are all steps towards change there is still much advocacy to be done. Next time you see your local librarian, please remember to say thank you.

Kimberlee N. Ried
President-elect, Missouri Library Association
Kansas City

Library parking

Since it was constructed, the Johnson County Library’s Antioch branch has been an important resource. Even now that it’s no longer used as the “Central Resource Library,” the branch still remains a busy place. However, because there’s hardly ever a place to park, many people feel that it’s an inconvenient place to visit.

The design of the parking areas is shallow and hard to navigate. The main lot is so small that people often worry about hitting other cars as they park or back out to leave.

Several years ago, the Antioch branch tried to solve the parking issue by developing another small lot just west of 62nd and Slater. However, this lot barely touches the problem.

What really needs to happen is that another parking area needs to be built, and have it just adjacent to the current main lot.

Fortunately, a solution to part of this problem has become available. The building (and lot) located at 6223 Slater, just northwest of the library, is for sale. I recommend that the county’s library board, along with the Board of County Commissioners, consider acquiring this property, razing the structure there and developing another lot or parking structure.

Mark J. Greene
Shawnee

A magical night at the library

It may take a village to raise a child, but here in midtown Kansas City it takes a public library to build a village. Last Friday night’s Harry Potter book release party was just the most recent way the Plaza branch staff has supported the values of family life. And they did it with flare and fun!

Every detail appeared to be perfectly thought out. From the costumed librarian who showed us where to park, to the live owl demonstration that completely enthralled my 9-year-old friend, to the entrance of the books in a Reading Reptile-fashioned coffin surrounded by my teenage son and his friends: Nothing could have been done better.

We take pride in our library as a storehouse of knowledge. Friday night reminded me, once again, that we should take equal pride in our librarians and the knowledge and values they have to share.

Lynisa Robinson
Kansas City