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When the Navy Made WAVES
Last week the Johnson County Library celebrated Women in the Military. We discovered there is a lot of local history with military training and women right here in Johnson County. The United States’ decision to enter into World War II created an immediate demand for training facilities, factories, soldiers and other military personnel to aid in the war effort. The armed forces needed to expand their employment from a men-only operation, and quickly. Many branches of the military answered this call by creating special units specifically for women. The Olathe Naval Air Station located between Olathe and Gardner served as a primary training facility for one of these groups. Read more on JoCoHistory »
What do you want to make?
So many things to make and do in the MakerSpace! We keep makers (and bookworms) busy! Record your song, film that epic, laser cut a doll cradle, upcycle your bottle with laser etching, prep your RasberryPi for anything, turn an old game into art, create some cookie cutters, carve a state-shaped cutting board, die cut some wall stencils, or whatever your maker-mind can conceive!
Meet our Fall Maker-In-Resident Steve Jahnke! You can find Steve in the MakerSpace most Monday evenings and Saturdays.
Convenience Delivered by Couriers
You’re busy! We get it. You don’t have time to drive to De Soto for a book if you live in Leawood. You can’t easily get up to Corinth for that DVD if you live in Gardner. No worries! Our Library Couriers are on it Johnson County Library’s Courier drivers provide timely and reliable service. So much so that we may sometimes take for granted the measures needed to ensure that your holds are handled and bundles of bookmarks are delivered on time.
They are behind the wheel before the crack of dawn each day picking up magazines and newspapers from the post office. They’re transporting whatever you just put a hold on to your favorite location. They’re ensuring that the Youth Services librarian gets her storytime kit. The Library Couriers have at some point carried, transported and delivered – with a smile – items related to every single area of our functioning. JCL simply could not provide the very popular services we do without their timely and strenuous efforts.
During the past year, the Courier team has designed and conducted strategic experiments to analyze fleet efficiency and refine their services where necessary and appropriate. They have each rotated driving all of the daily routes, which total hundreds of miles to each of our 14 locations. The insights gleaned from their efforts will help keep our Library running smoothly.
Meanwhile the Couriers are on their appointed rounds, lifting tubs, carting books, hoisting mail bins and delivering the mail. Look for them in our colorful courier trucks, and give them a wave. They deserve your thanks!
Kelly Hunt
Kelly Hunt makes the kind of music that will strike you as instantly familiar yet strangely new and vital. Her voice and banjo are perfectly suited for her stunning brand of Americana/roots music.
Natalie Bates Quartet
Arising out of UMKC's Conservatory Jazz Studies Program, all four members of the Natalie Bates Quartet (Aryana Nemati, Alyssa Murray, Carly Atwood and Natalie Bates) are masters of their craft. Led by drummer, artist and entrepreneur Bates, the group continues to hone their skills at regular gigs at Kansas City's Green Lady Lounge and Tom's Town Distillery, where you can hear them perform original compositions. We're fortunate to share with you an interview with Natalie Bates about the Quartet's origins, how they write and how playing to different audiences challenges them. Enjoy!
Did you hear about the Women in the Military event?
Did you hear about our Women in the Military event? Librarian Amanda talks about the stories a panel of women who have served will share.
Did you hear about Coding Club?
Did you hear about Coding Club?! If you haven't, listen up! Spread the word. There's a kid you might know who could be the next Bill Gates. Gardner Youth Services Librarian Samatha Chong talks about Coding Club!