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First commercial building: grocery, cigar store and confectionary.
Overland Park's Past in Pictures
It’s another grand Throwback Thursday where we encourage you to time travel through Johnson County's history. JoCoHistory is a collaborative presentation of the history from the Johnson County Museum, Johnson County Library and many JoCoHistory partners. Explore historical photographs and documents about the people, places and organizations of Johnson County, Kansas, from the 19th century to the present.
Collection spotlight: Overland Park Historical Society
About this collection: Over 1,300 photographs documenting Overland Park life with special emphasis on local businesses, the Strang Line interurban railroad and school personnel.
Thrillers & Mysteries
What is the difference between thrillers and mysteries? What are good recommendations in each of these genres? Readers Advisory Librarian Gregg is back with colleagues Piepie and Bet to do a deep dive into thrillers and mysteries and titles that are a good mixup of the two genres.
Our Thriller and Mystery Recommendations:
Charles’ Choice: Hell is Empty, Craig Johnson
Dave’s Double-feature: No Country for Old Men and Memento in Kanopy in our eLibrary
From our catalog: Thrillers and Mysteries
This Week at the Library
Library OnDemand – Available anytime you like.
Young Adult Literary Council – Tuesday, Aug. 8, 5 – 6 p.m.
Teens are invited to join the Young Adult Literary Council at the Lenexa City Center Library to share favorite books, pick up advanced reader copies of teen books to read and review, and participate in other fun activities such as author visits, game days, event planning and more. Meet new people and receive volunteer credit hours for your time with us.
Tabletop Games – Tuesday, Aug. 8, 6 – 7:45 p.m.
Join us at the Central Resource Library for a fun-filled event with family and friends and become a part of the Johnson County tabletop gaming community. Discover new games from our collection or bring your personal favorite to share – you might get creative with a round of Dixit, collaborate to escape the Forbidden Island or strategize your way to victory as King of Tokyo! Come and go as you please. Refreshments are provided.
One-on-One Help: DNA & Genetic Genealogy – Fridays, 9 a.m. – noon
For one-on-one basic or DNA genealogy help at the Central Resource Library visit the Johnson County Genealogical Society at www.jcgsks.org to schedule an appointment.
KC Covid Art Recession: Who thrived, who survived, who still needs help?
Join us in a town hall discussion led by a panel of art leaders whose organizations and artists thrived, survived and still need help in recovering from the art recession.
In 2020, KC Rising reported that of 24 industries, the arts had the greatest downturn and will take the longest to recover. Let’s help the arts recover with our support and ideas. This program is presented in partnership with GUILDit, whose mission is engage, educate, and empower art entrepreneurialism. No registration necessary.
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
6-7:30 p.m.
Central Resource Library
Color postcard of the exterior of the West building of the Methodist Shawnee mission. Courtesy Johnson County Museum Collection on JoCo History
Johnson County, Kansas: A Brief Historical Sketch
New JoCoHistory Blog
Johnson County’s earliest history is hazy at best. When the first white settlers reached the area, the Kaw were living to the North and Northwest, and the Osage were living to the South. The Native American population of Johnson County was nomadic and small. The white settlers arrived around 1700. They were French traders ascending the Missouri and its smaller tributaries such as “la Riviere de l’Eau Bleu” – the Blue River. The French phase of this region’s history is only now beginning to receive attention. Read the full article on the JoCoHistory blog »
Oppenheimer Revisited
Bonus Podcast Episode!
In June of 2020, we produced a podcast episode about J. Robert Oppenheimer. It was part of a series we called "Author Research in Action" where we invited two guests—one an award-winning author, and the other a subject matter expert. We stepped back let them interview each other and we recorded their conversation. Considering the movie Oppenheimer—the story of the American scientist and his role in the development of the atomic bomb—is currently in theaters, we thought it appropriate to revisit this episode.
Reference Librarian Helen Hokanson hosts a discussion on the Manhattan Project and so much more. Los Alamos National Laboratory Program Manager and Senior Historian, Alan Carr is paired with author Robert J. Sawyer, who’s written a new SciFi/historical fiction/thriller called THE Oppenheimer Alternative.
Our recommendations:
There are more than 240 Booklists on Oppenheimer in our catalog
One of our Librarians produced a list titled: Thanks Oppenheimer!
Another of our Librarians created a list that acknowledges the cultural impact of both the Oppenheimer and Barbie movies: Barbenheimer 2023
Primary Election Tomorrow
August 1, 2023 Primary Election
Whether you are a seasoned voter or voting for the first time, we have all the latest information for you! Visit our Voting 2023 page for the where's, when's and how's of voting!
Polls are open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Have questions like, "Where and when do I vote on Election Day?" Or, "What do I bring with me to vote in-person?" "Where can I view a sample ballot?" We have answers!
This Week at the Library
Library OnDemand – Available anytime you like.
One-on-One Help: Basic Genealogy – Tuesdays, 9 a.m. – noon
For one-on-one basic or DNA genealogy help visit Central Resource Library for the Johnson County Genealogical Society at www.jcgsks.org to schedule an appointment.
The Past is Prologue: Kansas City and the Rise of Gay Rights– Thursday, Aug. 3, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
The Past is Prologue is a bimonthly program that highlights topics often left out, glossed over, or misrepresented in our history books. For our August topic, Stuart Hinds from the Gay and Lesbian Archives of Mid-America will present on pre-Stonewall LGBT activism in Kansas City.
Free Admission Day at Shawnee Town 1929 Museum – Thursday, Aug. 3, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Your Library Card is your admission! Bring your card to the Shawnee Town 1929 Museum's Visitor Center to gain free admission all day on Thursday, August 3. Don't have a Library card (yet)? Library staff will be on site to create cards and share all of the wonderful things the Library has to offer! The museum is located at 11501 W 57th St, Shawnee 66203
Generative Poetry Workshop – Saturday, Aug. 5, 9 – 11 a.m.
Attend one of three generative workshops at the Lenexa City Center Library with Traci Brimhall, Poet Laureate of Kansas, to develop or polish your poetry writing! During the month of September, Johnson County Library will receive submissions of poetry, micro-stories, and art for a November Poetry Walk. If you're stumped on what to enter, be sure to attend one of these Generative Poetry Workshops. Selected work will be displayed on 18" by 24” boards placed throughout an area park in April 2024 for public enjoyment. Submit »