As the FIFA World Cup 2026™ brings a surge of global visitors to the Kansas City region, Johnson County Library is preparing to serve as both a community hub and a practical resource, pairing the Summer Reading program with expanded technology, multilingual tools and World Cup-themed events to help residents and visitors connect, recharge and take part in the moment.
The Library’s annual Summer Reading program returns with a theme that reflects the global spotlight. This year’s “Read, Score, Roar!” blends soccer energy with dinosaur-sized fun and runs June 1 through July 31.
Participants can join in several ways. Readers of all ages can attend events across branches, pick up a free book while supplies last and track progress with a reading log available in print or online. The Friends of Johnson County Library bookmark design contest will begin June 1, and families can stay informed through the Kids & Family email newsletter.
Library leaders say the approach this summer builds on services already in place while adapting to increased demand. Tad Twidwell, the Library’s physical security systems manager, said staff loo
ked across departments to improve how visitors move through and use Library spaces.
“We asked, how can we optimize what we already do to engage with the event itself?” he said. “We looked at how each department could make the experience meaningful for visitors.”
Several upgrades support that goal. Faster internet and improved audiovisual systems are in place, along with clearer digital signage to help people navigate busy buildings. New phone charging lockers allow users to securely power devices using a personal PIN. Handheld Pocketalk translation devices offer real-time, two-way translation to assist international visitors and multilingual residents with questions and services.
Programming throughout the summer reflects both reading and soccer energy. Watch parties will feature match screenings alongside pregame activities. Cultural programs will highlight food, music and traditions from participating countries. Language meetups in Italian, French and Spanish are scheduled at Central Resource Library.
Youth programming expands as well. Baby FIFA World Cup 2026™ sessions introduce soft play soccer for infants and toddlers, while soccer-themed Storytimes combine movement, music and early literacy.
Reading remains central. Featured titles include “Soccer Snub” for younger readers and “Furia” and “Godwin” for teens and adults. Book displays and discussions will connect the sport to broader themes of culture, identity and community.
One featured event arrives ahead of the summer program. On May 13, author Tim Bascom will appear at Central Resource Library to discuss his new book, “The Boundless Game,” which explores how soccer connects communities across borders. He will be joined by Shannon M. Jackson, Professor and Chair of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, for a conversation, audience questions and a book signing, with copies available through Rainy Day Books.
As Kansas City prepares for a global moment, the Library is positioning itself as a place to find information and stay connected.
