Bookmarkable

Leawood Pioneer Library Display

Fifth graders from Leawood Elementary School and Brookwood Elementary School submitted Arbor Day-inspired drawings until 6 finalists were chosen. The winning entry was sent on to Topeka to compete against other Kansas schools until a final winner will be chosen. A historic lithograph titled "Tree Planting Group," dated 1937, is showcased in our Leawood Pioneer display case. It is signed by the artist, Grant Wood. 

There will be a ceremony held on March 2nd at Leawood City Hall for all 6 finalists. This exhibit will be available for viewing here at Leawood through the second week in March. 

If any young patrons are interested in displaying their collections in our brand new display case, they are encouraged to ask Leawood Youth Services staff for a Youth Display Case Application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and patrons across Johnson County are welcome to apply! 

Friday Featured Artist: Heads or Heads

Heads or Heads is the musical brainchild of 22 year-old Alex Harbolt, who describes his project as "simultaneously avant-garde and easy-listening." Harbolt is also an actor, filmmaker and writer, seeing the intersection of these practices as something "to be ingested as nothing more than a part of the story that is being told; I don't want anything to feel out of place or not within the vision." His new album, Low Angles, due in April, was inspired by his first-ever trip to Los Angeles.

In case you missed it

It's an encore presentation of our Branch Manager episode! If you've never listened to our podcast, this is a good one to sample. You'll hear about what makes our locations unique and how we tailor our services to you. Give Did you hear? a try and please consider subscribing.

A new episode debuts next week. And, it's a great topic: Everything eLibrary!

We Want Your Art!

Post-it note? Your napping kitty's tail? Folded corner (gasp!)? None of those are nearly as cool as having a bookmark with your very own artwork on it. Enter your bookmark art in the 2022 Friends Annual Bookmark Design Contest Honoring National Friends of Libraries Week, Oct. 16-22, and you could see your lovely design on bookmarks available at all of our Library locations.



Tell Us your story about family, books and learning

Show Us what you love about your Library

Draw Us into your colorful Library world

From preschoolers to adults, there are different age categories each with their own winner.

SUBMIT YOUR DESIGN July 11 – Sept. 9, 2022

Download your entry form to get started. 

The winning bookmarks will be printed and distributed at our branches and Friends Bookstores this fall.

Co-sponsored with Friends of Johnson County Library.

New Podcast Episode: Branch Managers

In this episode of Did you hear?, it’s a Branch Manager panel. We brought in three branch managers to talk. They compare and contrast their experiences. We take a look at the differences in service populations, facilities, resources, and more. It’s an excellent and insightful discussion. 

Featured Artist Friday

Jillian Riscoe's songs are born out of "infinite possibilities of creation and self-expression" and "strength, overcoming negative situations and behaviors, empowerment, finding yourself." Riscoe has been a musician since the age of 7 and a songwriter since 11; this longevity and dedication to craft is evident in the arena-sized rock that has put her on the same stages as Pat Benatar, Rick Springfield, Lisa Loeb and Everclear, among others.

Now at Leawood: Michael Schmaltz

Monday, December 30, 2019 to Tuesday, April 21, 2020
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After a diagnosis of severe post-traumatic stress disorder in 2011, Michael Schmaltz underwent several therapy sessions involving art. In 2012 he decided to buy oil paint and canvasses and started a series of self-portraits. He paints portraits of women because they can show emotion without judgment. This collection, entitled the Thousand Yard Stare, depicts the eyes of a person after the horror of war.

Spring Preview

Baby, it's cold outside. But SPRING is coming!!! And, the Library has programs that will not only warm your soul, but defrost your brain as well.

In this episode of Did you hear?, our hosts Dave Carson and Melissa Horak-Hern chat with Christopher Leitch, Ben Oglesby, and Amy Field, about what’s to come in the next few months at the Library! Spoiler alert: it's hot stuff!