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Books and libraries have always been a big part of my life. I remember being 5 or 6 years old and reading Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss all the way through by myself. I have a vivid memory of the joy and empowerment I felt in that moment… I’m a reader! It was a first step in my lifelong love affair with books and reading.  

My grandmother was a church librarian in Hesston, KS. My sister and I loved to hang out with her and browse the library shelves, on Sundays during our summer vacations. My grandparents and my parents were big readers. Their love of reading and books was instilled in me, a legacy my husband Gary and I passed to our children and now to our grandchildren.

The Library has played an important role in my professional life. I do research for clients, and Library study rooms are a perfect landing place between meetings or for a virtual call.

As a past Foundation Board member and continuing member of the Fund Development Committee, my passionate belief is that libraries are invaluable in our community. Books and access to information are essential. I take a great deal of pride and satisfaction in having helped, over the years, to establish the Foundation’s planned giving initiative, The 1952 Society: Writing the Library’s Next Chapter, and the Readers Circle (donors who have given $10,000 or more.) I’ve had a lot of fun helping with Foundation events including Rare Conversations, the Pinnacle Awards, and now Library Lets Loose. It is more important than ever to ensure our Library’s success in benefitting future generations. That’s why the Library is, and will continue to be, one of my personal philanthropic priorities.

— Lynne Brown

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: Lenexa Historical Society

About this collection: This collection is comprised of over 3,500 images relating to the history, development and people of Lenexa, Kansas. Particular strengths include area construction projects, photos of the Legler Barn Museum, the Lenexa Centennial celebration of 1969 and early landowners. The photographs were collected and maintained by the Lenexa Historical Society, who are headquartered at the Legler Barn Museum in Sar Ko Par Park.

Johnson County Library began construction on its newest branch, the Merriam Plaza Library, after a groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 29.

Construction Manager Titan Built has mobilized to the site. Their first few activities have included securing the construction site for safety and beginning sitework.

The new building, co-located on a campus with the Merriam Community Center, is expected to open in 2024. The 15,000-square-foot branch will replace the much-loved but outdated Antioch Library, which has served Johnson County since 1956 at the corner of Antioch Road and Shawnee Mission Parkway. Staff and the collection will move from the existing location to the new building.

Read about the project on the FAQ, and check back on the Library’s website and social media sites for construction progress photos and updates.

Teens and fans of Young Adult literature! Looking for something new to read? Check out this 5-star review from our Teen Contributor Isabel.

The Light at the Bottom of the World

This was a thrilling, incredible, sci-fi novel that I thought was like a good mix of “The Hunger Games”, “1984”, and “Waterworld”. Our protagonist in this story is Leyla McQueen who is a 16-year-old “Submersible” racer. In Leyla’s world, the water levels have increased so much that the entire human population is stuck deep underwater in the bottom of what is now a huge ocean. After her father gets wrongly arrested for a crime she knows he didn’t do, she is left alone at home as the constant fear of the ocean, the Anthropoids, and the Earthquakes run through her mind. When she is chosen to race in London’s famous annual marathon, she puts her mind to winning so that she can win the grand prize of a wish- which she would use to ask for her father’s freedom. But, when things start to go wrong, she realizes there are a lot of things she never knew, and that her father’s arrest was more serious than she thought it was. So, she goes into the deepest, dangerous parts of the ocean on her quest to learn these secrets and find the truth. I really enjoyed this book, and I could not put it down. I thought it was well- written and that the storyline was quite creative and interesting. I recommend this to teens who love sci-fi, mystery, or the ocean. I can’t wait to read the sequel to this thrilling Duology.

We’re wishing you a holiday season full of cozy reading, listening, watching, learning and making. We look forward to sharing more storytimes, more book discussions and more incredible programs like the annual Writers Conference in 2023. 

The Johnson County Library locations will be closed Sunday, Dec. 25 and Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, for Christmas.  

Branches will also be closed Sunday, Jan. 1 and Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, for New Year’s Day.  

Johnson County Libraries will re-open for regular service hours Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. 

Rain or snow, sleet or dark of night: our eLibrary and Library OnDemand are always open and available anytime you like.