Kansas City Public Library

I am truly shocked I have not reviewed the Central library in all the time I have lived in KC. The Central Library is truly one of my favorite places in the city. EASY PARKING/ACCESS: Super accessible by streetcar - the Library has its own stop! You can get one hour of free parking validated inside the library for the parking garage to the west of the library (yes the parking garage that looks like a bookshelf). There are validators at the main desk and near the check out station by the front door. FREE MOVIES: head down to the basement to watch a movie in the old bank vault! They do tons of free movies all week long. In the summers, they also do movies on the rooftop deck! The basement is also where you can check out movies and CDs. They always have curated racks to choose from, but you can ask for any movie to be retrieved for you at the check out window. The staff is so kind and helpful. ROOFTOP: head to the top floor for one of the best rooftops in the city! Great views. There's a big chess board and a couple of tables. Great relaxing space. EVENTS: if you're not going to events at the library, you are missing out! There are always tons of arts & crafts, speakers, trivia games, and more happening, and all for FREE! They have historical tours on the weekends, and there are frequently scavenger hunts to learn about the history of the building! EASY TO USE: it's super easy to sign up for a library card at the front desk if you have some mail or a way to demonstrate a Kansas City address. The check out stations are really easy to use - you scan your card, put your stack of books on the counter under the scanner, and that's it! No need to scan individual books. Obviously the library has tons of materials available already, but you can also request them to purchase new materials (5 every month). I will admit, the app is trash and doesn't work very well, but I'll forgive them. PRINTING: you can print 50 pages for free in black and white! The cost is really low for color printing. They have public computers that you can access. And NO LATE FEES! I can't say enough about how much I love the Central Library! You could spend an entire day in there, easy! Don't miss out on all the awesome free stuff the library has to offer!

This was my first time visiting this library after hearing about it all over social media! I went because i had some studying to do and wanted to see how pretty it was on the inside. And it was beautiful! There are 4-5 floors and a basement with a vault inside. The vault shows movies almost every day of the month for free which is something I am wanting to check out. There are also many study rooms to check out that are locked!! i love that they lock them so nobody else besides the person who has the room can get in! I will say, there are not bathrooms on every floor and when i was there the bathrooms were only open on the 1st floor. There are also a ton of homeless people in this library which does not bother me whatsoever but it does make seating kinda hard to find and very crowded. I recommend getting a study room to make sure you get seating if you're planning on staying a while. Staff is very helpful and friendly! I will be returning for sure!

The Library was so amazing! My son and I went during a downtown fan day. We spend about 3 hours in the library just enjoying it. I would recommend anyone in KC to stop by when downtown. It's just off the streetcar line. It's absolutely beautiful inside and the staff is so top notch. Everyone we came in contact with was the best. Thank you for an amazing experience.

The library was a bank previously, so architecture and history are the main attractions. The book collection is quite old, the unique quiet environment made me want to sit and read. There is a heavy vault at lower level as a proof this used to be a bank:) Mr Nelson did many good things with his wealth, this is one of them, as well as well known Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.Parking nearby can be challenging.

The Kansas City Library downtown is a hidden gem that truly captivates visitors with its remarkable architecture and vast literary collection. With its cool books-as-stairs concept, exploring the library becomes an enchanting adventure in itself, immersing readers in a world of knowledge and imagination. The cool vault in the basement adds an intriguing touch, creating an atmosphere of mystery and wonder. It's also a movie theatre FYI! The architectural beauty of the library is awe-inspiring, blending modern elements with classic elegance. Every corner exudes sophistication and thoughtfulness, making it a perfect spot for both book lovers and architecture enthusiasts alike.One of the highlights of the library is the terrace, which provides a serene and inviting space to unwind with a book or enjoy the city's skyline. It's a great place to find peace and tranquility amidst the bustling city.The Library downtown is a must-visit destination that seamlessly combines captivating architecture, a vast array of books, and a beautiful terrace, creating an experience that leaves visitors in awe. 5/5 stars!FYI: I was not going to visit however, family and friends kept raving! Thankfully I did get the chance to visit.

This would be a fun outing with your family on a Saturday weekend. Lots to explore. Located downtown. Parking garage nearby. Downstairs movie vault for free movie viewing. Upstairs there is a rooftop patio area for lunch or a game of chess overlooking view of city. Nice children's area inside.

Kansas City has world-class museums, sports and music venues, food and coffee scene, public art and fountains, skyline and may I add... a Central Library. If you have never visited the main library on 10th St, you are missing a truly unique building with so much to offer. I do not use this library for checking out media, because I have a closer one to my home, but I still love coming here for all the peripheral things they provide to everyone; KC resident or not. Being an art and history lover, the rotating exhibits here compel me to take regular trips downtown. I've seen exhibitions on Ralph Steadman, Dwight Eisenhower, Aviation history in Kansas City, and multitudes of art from local artists. Today's large display on the mezzanine was a collection of mixed media created by Kansas Citians with developmental disabilities. A great exhibit and very cool that the library can provide an outlet for the under-represented. The Missouri Valley Room has the greatest collection of books, maps, photos and general history of the area. A morning or afternoon well spent for amateur historians or professional researchers. I've also attended events featuring local authors, sipped coffee in the cafe, sat and enjoyed the sun and skyline on the roof patio, and smiled every time I've walked past the large "book shelf" that the parking garage uses as a literary facade. There is also a movie theater inside the original bank vault in the basement with free movies every weekend and a large Thomas Hart Benton mural. Parking is free with validation and the free streetcar stop is just 2 blocks away, so there is really no excuse to not spend a very cheap or free couple of hours checking out one of KC's most under appreciated jewels. An easy 5 stars.

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.

It's a gorgeous library. Parking was super convenient. The staff was so helpful and professional. I just have so much respect for librarians. On our visit, everyone was masked up...and properly, I might add. Not so much with KC in general, but here, yes indeed. We had to do historical research on the top floor where archives were kept. So much rich information. The librarian there was spectacular. When he left on his break, he made sure to tell his coworker what we were trying to do in case we needed more help.

This Library doesn't disappoint! Almost museum like in some aspects, marble floors, beautiful chandeliers with tall ceilings. The staff here were very helpful. I didn't realize you have to get a separate library card from the Mid continental libraries I usually frequent. I got signed up and away I went. The kids section is on the second floor and it was a lot of fun. Tons of activities and interactive areas. There was even a chess board. The bathrooms do require you to get a key, which I didn't know.