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With the success of our Summer Reading newsletter, we wanted to continue providing you with the latest kids & family news. Our goal is to connect you with fun and engaging programs and resources for you and your children. We look forward to delivering up-to-date and valuable kids and family recommendations right to your inbox each month. Sign up today!

Antioch Library has had an over-60-year history in its current location at the corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Antioch Road, beginning in 1956 as a 7,200 square foot leased space with parking for 30 cars. Now, plans are in the works to re-locate Antioch Library to the new Merriam Community Center campus.

In 1961, following legislation that permitted the Johnson County Library Board of Directors to own property, the Antioch building and site were purchased. The Antioch building has been expanded twice, in 1970 and 1983, and was last renovated in 1995 when the Central Resource Library was opened. Since then, Antioch has been providing space for the Friends of the Library, JCCC’s Adult Education program, and has functioned as the home office for systemwide Programming, Outreach, and Information Services staff.

New site, new building

In 2017, the City of Merriam approached the Library to consider relocating Antioch Library to the new Merriam Community Center campus, at the 6000 block of Slater. After a study with the city, the Library Board approved this path. The new library is anticipated to be approximately 15,000 square ft. single story building and include a drive-thru for holds pickup and material return. Like Lenexa City Center Library, the Merriam Plaza Library will utilize the nearby parking structure and pay for a portion of the upkeep costs.

The Library and the City of Merriam have been meeting to discuss design, planning, and construction and recently the City of Merriam has transferred the land for the new building to the Library.

Public engagement and design

In March 2021, the Library Board and Johnson County Board of County Commissioners approved the selection of Kansas City-based Dake Wells Architecture to design the facility. In spring and summer of 2021, the Library conducted public engagement sessions both virtually and at the new site. Design for the new library was completed in fall 2022

Construction

The project’s construction contract was approved by the Library Board and Public Building Commission in November 2022 and you will see construction activities ramping up in 2023. Construction is expected to wrap up in early 2024 with opening anticipated later that year.

We know you probably have questions about what to expect during this building process, so we’ve put together an FAQ that addresses more details about the project. Stay tuned to our Merriam Plaza Library page and follow @jocolibrary on social media for construction updates and photos. You can also drop us a line if you have any questions.

Have you ever listened to our podcast? Did you know we even had a podcast? If you haven't listened and didn't know, that's OK! There may be a lot of things you didn't know about your favorite place on earth (The Johnson County Library) and the Did you hear? podcast gives you a glimpse behind-the-scenes. It's your Library insider.

Listen to the latest episode. Another episode will be featured here next week!

In Johnson County, the number of mail-in ballot applications has surpassed 100,000. Election officials are working hard to increase Johnson County's capacity to handle this record-breaking number of mail-in ballots.

One way to meet that need is the installation of ballot drop boxes across the County. Johnson County Election Commissioner Connie Schmidt wants residents to feel comfortable voting by mail, telling KSHB "...They can bypass the post office (and) go right to the election office drop box, and then you're bringing it right back to us."

Beginning Oct. 17, six of these secured ballot boxes will be available at Johnson County Library locations, with a seventh box at the Johnson County Government Northeast office building in Mission. Similar ballot boxes, which are being provided by the Kansas Secretary of State, will be installed across the state ahead of the election.

Johnson County Library is proud to be part of this initiative. The Library's ballot box locations are:

• Blue Valley Library, 9000 W. 151st St., Overland Park
• Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th St., Overland Park
• De Soto Library, 33145 W. 83rd St., De Soto
• Gardner Library, 137 E. Shawnee St., Gardner
• Shawnee Library, 13811 Johnson Drive, Shawnee
• Spring Hill Library, 109 S. Webster St., Spring Hill

Read more from KSHB's news story ».

Whether you are a seasoned voter, or registering for the first time, Johnson County Library has you covered with election information. Check out our guide to Kansas Elections and Voting, which contains information on how to check your registration and polling place, important dates and deadlines, and how to find more information about candidates.

This Week at the Library, you can introduce your kids to the concept of voting, get tips on improving your interviewing and writing skills, learn how to keep your bike in tip-top shape, plus --teens are invited to meet local author Adib Khorram!

Kids Vote! Storytime

Monday, October 12 | 3:00 – 3:45 pm  | Register online

Wednesday, October 14 | 3:00 – 3:45 pm | Register online

The Art of Interviewing  Monday, October 12, 2020 | 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Beginning Genealogy Classes  Thursday, October 15 | 10:00 – 11:30 am

Maintain Your Ride Thursday, October 15 | Noon – 1:30 pm

The Write Questions Saturday, October 17  | 9:00 – 11:00 am

Meet the Author: Adib Khorram  Sunday, October 18 | 2:00 – 3:30 pm

See all of our events »

It is never too early to learn about voting rights as American citizens. This interactive program will introduce kids to the concept of voting, the history of voting rights in The United States, and the how and why of voting through stories, games and of course: voting. You and your child will experience the excitement of having your voice and choice heard! Come join the party! Great for kids 4-8, however all are welcome.

• October 12 @ 3 pm
• October 14 @ 3 pm
• October 19 @ 7 pm

Register online for this program »

Be sure to pick up a copy of the Fall 2020 Library Guide at your favorite Library branch. The Fall Guide looks a little different than it has in the past. Our Summer Guide was headed to the printer right as our Library buildings closed to the public on March 15; with so much unknown about the weeks and months ahead, especially the safety of in-person services that the guide primary highlights, we canceled the printing of our Guide for the first time ever.

In the Fall Guide, we not only promote our virtual programs but highlight the breadth of services offered by the Library. If patrons want to know how we've adapted our programs over the past months, direct them to The New Now for Library Programs, which focuses on our Online Programming Team. Our email and phone service is featured in Opening the Library's 'Virtual Branch'. And our exciting new Curbside Holds Pickup Service, which is now open at Leawood, Gardner, and Cedar Roe, is also featured.

We hope this Guide reminds you that no matter what story they want to read, experience, or create, the Library offers the resources and connections they need to enrich their lives.

What is happiness?

Sometimes happiness is a nice hat, just the right stump to stand on for speech-making, and eating green onions. We wonder just what this little tyke had to say about those onions.

Remember, jocohistory.org is the place to time travel through local history. Be sure to follow our hashtag on Twitter!

Happy Throwback Thursday! Some call it the best day of the week.