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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.

It's a brand new Did you hear? podcast episode! And, it's another 5 for 5 format. We talk to another 5 groups of people about 5 topics for 5 minutes at a time. This time around:

• Instagram
• MakerSpace Steamroller Printing Press
• Online Storytimes
• Newsletters galore
• Super Special Mystery Guest

We thought about adding even more goodness into this episode, but there is such thing as too much of a good thing.

In case you missed it, we launched a Career & Finance newsletter last month and you definitely don’t want to miss the next edition that goes out this week.

Each month, the newsletter focuses on bringing you the latest highlighted events, resources, and tips and tricks to make progress on your career and finance goals. We want to connect you with programs and resources that help you navigate your current stage in life and we’re excited to deliver them right to your inbox.

Topics covered in this upcoming edition:

• Interviewing is part of a process, not a single event
• Networking as an ongoing career strategy
• Why insurance is a “must have expense”
• Understanding credit reports & scores
• Eviction, rental rights & responsibilities, budgeting or how to avoid predatory lending practices
• How to access live online FAFSA tutors to assist at any stage of the application process
• Launch your career with live job coaches, creating/updating a resume and job interview sample questions and tips

Make sure you sign up today so you receive the next edition of the Career & Finance Newsletter.

Get your Used Book Bargains before October 10.

Central Resource Library is preparing for Phase 2 of extensive renovations, during 2021. The work is extensive and as a result the Friends of Johnson County Library Bookstore at Central closes permanently October 10th.

Not to worry! You can still make great deals for a good cause with by-appointment shopping at our Antioch and Blue Valley Libraries bookstores

Meanwhile, we’re closing out inventory at Central, and there are bargains galore. You can take advantage of their 50% off books and AV renovations sale from now until they close!

• Schedule your shopping appointment with Becky at bepperson.jclfriends@yahoo.com
  
   
• Appointment times at CENTRAL only: Mondays (9:00-4:30); Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Noon-4:30); Thursdays (Noon-7:30)
  
  We will also be open Saturday Oct. 10 (Time TBD)
  
   
• Includes children's books! Which, as our regular shoppers know, is a BIG DEAL. We’re sorry to see Central go, and we look forward to welcoming you to our Renovations Sale!