Nothing can keep us from a good book.
Thank you to everyone who gave a year-end donation to the Library! Last year was filled with challenges and, with your support, the Library continued to rise to meet them. Online resources expanded to meet patrons’ interests and the buildings are open with safe access to books, materials and computers.
Please consider making a donation to the Johnson County Library Foundation.
Your financial support is more important than ever to meet the needs of our community. Every dollar donated to the Library benefits all Johnson Countians through lifelong learning resources. In 2020, the Johnson County Library Foundation provided $175,312 of support to the Library.
Here are a few of the programs and resources your charitable contribution supports:
Black & Veatch MakerSpace
The Black & Veatch MakerSpace is an environment of creativity and emerging technologies. Located in the Central Resource Library, visitors can have access to 3D printing, AudioVisual production space/equipment, sewing materials, laser, CNC and vinyl cutting, and a selection of computers with industry-standard software. These resources are popular among engineers, artists, BFA students. The MakerSpace is the place for anyone who is ready to learn and make. The space also receives generous funding from Google Fiber, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and Black & Veatch.
Watch a short video about the Foundation’s support of this program.
Collection Development
Johnson County Library strives to provide a collection that mirrors the changing needs of our community, including traditional books as well as a growing collection of e-resources. We believe this collection should be rich in ideas, information, and viewpoints from all lifestyles and each side of a topic without restrictions on access.
Watch a short video about the Foundation’s support of this program.
elementia
elementia is a magazine for teens produced by teens. The publication connects published artists with talented young adults through submissions of original poetry, fiction, nonfiction, graphic stories, photography and illustrations. Since its inception in 2005, elementia has included the voices of more than 850 creative young adults.
Watch a short video about the Foundation’s support of this program.
Genealogy
For many years, the Johnson County Library and the Johnson County Genealogical Society have had a close, supportive relationship. The Library maintains a mid-size genealogy collection, including online resources and items owned by the Library as well as items owned by JCGS, all housed side-by-side on library shelving in the west-central area of the Central Resource Library. Donations from the Foundation and individuals add valuable resources to the department.
Watch a short video about the Foundation’s support of this program.
Incarcerated Services Support
Johnson County Library provides a number of literature-related workshops and services for juveniles and adults serving an incarcerated sentence. The Incarcerated Services Support programs serve the New Century Complex, the Juvenile Detention Center and the Olathe, Kansas, courtrooms that handle many fostering cases.
Watch a short video about the Foundation’s support of this program.
Summer Reading
From mid-May until the end of July, Johnson County Library helps combat summer slide by providing a free book to every child who comes into the library. By growing children’s personal libraries and helping them find intrinsic value in reading, the library bridges that summer learning gap and invests in the future of our community.
Watch a short video about the Foundation’s support of this program.
6 by 6: Ready to Read
Recognizing its unique role in brain development the Johnson County Library Foundation created 6 by 6 Ready to Read, an early literacy program in English and Spanish designed to be applicable and approachable for everyone. 6 by 6 focuses on six pre-reading skills to help kids get ready for formal education. This includes storytime, activity spaces and outreach, all designed to make learning to read easier when the time comes.
Watch a short video about the Foundation’s support of this program.
Race Project KC
This initiative consists of a series of opportunities for teens to learn our area’s history of racial segregation and how it continues to impact us today. Students hear from experts on the topics, learn vocabulary for talking about race, build relationships with peers they might not otherwise meet, and share their own stories as they relate to the issues.
Watch a short video about the Foundation’s support of this program.