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Friends of Johnson County Library Pop Up Book Sales
Friends of Johnson County Library want to sell you some used books!
Pop Up Sales:
Saturdays, 11:30 a.m.-5p.m. (closed for holidays, inclement weather closings announced on Facebook)
In the Pine Ridge Office Park
8279 Melrose Dr.
Lenexa, KS 66214,
The Friends of Johnson County Library want to assure you: the used book business is great.
The Friends started selling used books more than 30 years ago, and they are going strong still. Their 16k item (or more!) weekly inventory is restocked weekly and comes mostly from generous community donations, with the balance from books periodically weeded out of the Johnson County Library’s circulating collection. Friends’ net proceeds are paid into the Library's Collection budget, to help the Library buy new books. “We’re really proud of this success,” says Friends president Chris Meier. “Not only are we repurposing books in our community and giving them longer lives, we’re supporting our favorite public place: the Library!”
The Friends sell books in-person and online. They launched Pop Up Sales earlier this year at their donation processing headquarters in Lenexa. The Pop Ups are a sort-to-sell experience right at the source of the Friends broad and robust donated inventory. A corps of dedicated volunteers scan, examine and sort gifted materials for subject and quality. A lively Sale audience can generally be found at the door awaiting the weekly Saturday start time of 11:30 a.m.. Friends members receive a 20% discount on the already very reasonable prices. Gift cards are available, too!
The Pop Ups launch was a prelude to closing the two branch bookstores at Antioch and Blue Valley Libraries in July. After careful monitoring of sales activity at both stores, the Friends noted that sales continued to lag behind pre-pandemic levels. They made this bittersweet decision, after 26 years, so that the organization can focus resources toward their mission of supporting the Library.
Friends’ online sales are divided among international, national and local customers who peruse the broad selection on popular platforms like Amazon and Ebay, and on the Friends web site. Free shipping and the Friends reasonable prices are sure to wow. Top sellers tend to be first editions or hard-to-find items like out-of-print technical manuals. “The selection changes quickly,” says operations director Shanta Dickerson, “because we sell frequently and replace with new material that arrives every day.”
This Week at the Library
This week at the Library, you can join us at:
Library OnDemand – Available anytime you like.
Your doorway into live and archived programs. Arts & Culture, Career & Finance, Community Matters, Writers and more!
Our eCollection with eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, eMusic, eNewspapers, Research and Streaming Video –
Available anytime you like with so many titles including bestsellers, classics, nonfiction, storybooks and more for all ages. Download and stream audiobooks whenever and wherever you want. Discover newsstand favorites and hard-to-find publications with something for everyone. Stream classical, jazz, world and folk music from then to now and catch up on the latest from The New York Times, The Kansas City Star, Shawnee Mission Post and more.
Johnson County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting – Saturday, Nov. 26, 10 a.m. – noon
Enjoy a genealogy program and visit with JCGS members about your research and family history. Free and open to the public. Meeting will be held in person at Central Resource Library in the Carmack Community Room as well as virtually via Zoom. Members will automatically receive the Zoom link. If you are not a JCGS member, please email info@jcgsks.org to receive the Zoom link. The November meeting topic is, “Fraternal Organizations: the Original Social Networks”.
And much more happening this week »
Library Takes Full Advantage of National Youth Librarians Conference
The Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, held its 2022 national conference Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 in Kansas City. And Johnson County Library youth specialists made the most of the opportunity.
Fifteen youth information specialists and youth librarians attended the ALSC National Institute workshops, panel discussions and other sessions in downtown Kansas City. It was a rare chance for staffers to attend the ALSC Institute’s national meeting in their own backyard. Participants said it was hugely worthwhile.
“To be in the same room with librarians who all share a passion for serving children was something truly special,” said Early Literacy Coordinating Librarian Shannon Goebel. “It was such a joy to learn shoulder to shoulder with my fellow colleagues at the ALSC Institute.”
The Institute holds its national conference every two years. The 2020 conference was virtual because of COVID-19, but this year it drew several hundred attendees in person from across the country.
“It’s designed for front-line staff that are serving youth,” Goebel explained. “It’s really the world’s largest organization that is dedicated to the support and advancement of library services for children.”
Staffers heard from wonderful authors and illustrators and got great book recommendations for children and teens. They heard a fascinating presentation about the importance of open-ended play as a literacy skill and how to create enriching playtime activities in the Library.
They took a tour of The Rabbit hOle, a phenomenal project under construction in North Kansas City. It will be a children’s literature museum, with an immersive experience of walking into a picture book.
While Library staffers got great ideas from other librarians, they also had a featured exhibition table and shared information about Johnson County Library’s innovations, including the 6 by 6 Ready to Read program and Race Project KC’s Dividing Lines Tour. The Library also had a full-page spread in every attendee’s conference booklet.
Lisa Nason, who concentrates on early literacy for the Library, said the chance to network with librarians from other cities was wonderful, and the visitors loved Kansas City and Johnson County.
“One of the first people that came up to us in Vendor Hall was from Boise,” Nason recalled. “She said, ‘I use materials from your online Kids’ page all the time to write blogs and get ideas.’ It’s exciting to think that people all over the country are seeing our work.”
Youth Services Information Specialist Mary Shortino said the author presentations were particularly thought-provoking. Authors of diverse backgrounds poignantly described how they never saw themselves in literature growing up, but they now write characters like themselves as protagonists in stories.
“I adore hearing authors talk about their work,” Shortino said. “That’s stuff I can share with kids and families when I’m doing Readers’ Advisory.”
Youth Information Specialist Tami Thomas said attendees were encouraged to seek out the youngest potential library patrons which they might be missing or forgetting.
Thomas enjoyed a presentation on rethinking summer reading programs to appeal to reluctant readers. One library system held a nighttime hike that involved the whole community. Another put early literacy activities in laundromats where parents and kids congregate.
Goebel was grateful that such a large Johnson County Library contingent could benefit from this learning experience. Those participants will share insights with the rest of the youth services staff.
She also thanked everyone who pitched in to cover those staff slots in the branches.
“It’s not an opportunity that comes up every day,” she said, “so we are really grateful for everyone who supported the people attending.”
16 Civil War veterans - 1905
Museum Memories
It’s another grand Throwback Thursday when 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: Johnson County Museum
About this collection: The Johnson County Museum has a wide range of images dating from the late 19th century to the current day. A major focus of the collection centers on individuals and groups of people in domestic, recreational, scholarly and business settings.
Meet the Presenter: Polly McCann
The lyrical poetry of Polly Alice McCann paints a beautiful narrative revolving around the internal heartland. With poetry as beautiful as hers, it is no surprise that she is also an artist! This author, artist and dreamer began writing poetry after taking an impactful trip to the desert with a pillow and a book. We can only imagine the beauty she discovered there that would inspire her to start to write — and continue writing — poetry.
Polly received her MFA in Writing from Hamline University. Her poetry has been published both nationally and internationally in journals such as “Naugatuck River Review” and “arc23” in Tel Aviv. Polly is the managing editor of Flying Ketchup Press and an adjunct writing professor. You can find her poetry collections, including her newest collection, “Night Blooming,” along with her memoir, “Pray Like a Woman,” at online stores.
You can learn more about Polly McCann on her website, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. You can also learn more from her at this year’s Writers Conference, where she’ll be teaching two sessions: “Chatting About Chapbooks: Five Ways to Share Your Poetry” and “Place & Power in Narrative Poetry.”
We look forward to seeing you there!
-- written by Kathryn “Katt” Cooper, adult services specialist
Curbside Holds Pickup Convenience
For many of us, this is a really busy time of year. Trying to get more done but not having more time can be stressful to say the least. This may even mean giving up some of the things you enjoy until things start to settle down. Luckily, you can still enjoy all your favorite materials from Johnson County Library with the ultra-convenient Curbside Holds Pickup service at the Cedar Roe, Gardner, Leawood Pioneer, Oak Park and Spring Hill Libraries. When you’re placing your items on hold, select one of the Curbside Holds Pickup branches and enjoy the perks of curbside pickup.
This service has been very popular and for good reason. You simply pull up to a reserved parking spot in your comfortable vehicle. Text that you’re there and in no time, your items are brought out to you. Then as you are pulling out of the parking lot you’ll wonder why you didn’t do this sooner. It’s simple, fast and stress-free.
Curbside Holds Pickup service was launched last year to give patrons a contactless pickup option at the Cedar Roe, Gardner and Leawood Pioneer branches. Due to the popularity of the services, it was then expanded to Oak Park and Spring Hill Libraries.
While you are always welcome to pick up your materials inside the branch, you also have the option for contactless holds pickup from the comfort of your vehicle. With curbside service now at those five locations along with drive-thru windows at the Blue Valley, Lenexa City Center and Monticello locations, a contactless holds pickup option is available in all quadrants of Johnson County.
Hours for curbside service mirror the current branch hours, but the service closes 15 minutes prior to the close of the branch. Please note that Curbside Holds Pickup service may be temporarily suspended during severe weather, including extreme temperatures.
To use the curbside service:
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Look for the parking stalls designated with blue Curbside Hold Pickup signs in the branch's parking lot.
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To initiate the pickup, text the word HOLD to the phone number on the sign and follow the prompts. Message and data rates may apply. Please note you must be present at the Library to initiate pickup.
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When staff has located and checked out your material, a Library staff member will bring out your hold(s). Pop your trunk or roll down a passenger window so staff can safely place your item(s) in your car.
Many have already discovered the convenience of the Curbside Holds Pickup service at Johnson County Library. If you haven’t tried it yet, now is a great time with the busy holiday season. To learn more about the curbside service, checkout our Curbside Holds Pickup FAQ.
Our Writers Conference Planners! Clockwise from top left: Helen Hokanson, Jesseca Bear, Lisa Allen, Kathryn "Katt" Cooper, Joseph Keehn, Diane Haner and Cindy Frazer.
Meet the Conference Planners!
Now that we’ve introduced you to our Writers Conference authors and presenters, it’s time to introduce ourselves!
The core team that plans the Writers Conference is small, but mighty!
Helen Hokanson has worked at the Library for 25 years. She found her niche as the Local Writers Librarian in 2014 and leads our committee not just in planning the Writers Conference, but in visioning and planning year-round programming, readings, and writing contests.
Joseph Keehn is the Events & Programs Coordinator for the Johnson County Library, where he plans, develops, implements, evaluates and manages programs and events that meet the diverse needs of all patrons. He has been with the Writers Conference since its beginning.
Cindy Frazer has been at Johnson County Library since 1985 and has been on the Writers Conference committee for 7 years. Thanks to Cindy, we have signage and schedules and all those didn’t-think-of-that essentials that make the conference successful.
Lisa Allen started at the Library in 2019 and joined the Local Writers Committee that same year. She is an Adult Services Specialist.
Jesseca Bear started at the Library in 2012 and joined the Local Writers Committee earlier this year. She is an Adult Services Specialist.
Kathryn “Katt” Cooper started at the Library in 2018 and has been part of the Local Writers Committee since 2019. She is an Adult Services Specialist.
Diane Haner has worked at the Library since 2001 and joined the Local Writers Committee in 2016. She is an Adult Services Specialist.
-- written by Lisa Allen, adult services specialist