Staff Picks
What should you read, watch or listen to next? We're so glad you asked!
Love stumbling on a fun book display at the library? Welcome to the online version! Dive into our Library staff’s top picks—books, movies, music, and more—by theme, age, awards, read-alikes, and all kinds of cool topics we just can’t stop talking about.
Saving Matt Damon
That lovable scamp Matt Damon gets into all sorts of trouble and needs to be rescued almost every time!
Autism Reads for Late Diagnosed Women
...and those wanting to better understand them. The spectrum is broad and each story can help fill in the bigger picture.
My Ideal Bookshelf
Here you'll find my favorite character-driven stories, complex people, and stylistic complexity and evocative, lyrical language.
Funny Books Guaranteed to Make You LOL
According to Eppie Shepherd and Penguin UK editors, these titles will have you laughing out loud.
Women's History Month in Graphic Novels
Check out these graphic non-fic titles for women's history month!
Books for older teens and new adults
New Adult books have appeal for a wide age range and feature themes that both teens and adults will relate to.
Black Teen Romance
February is a time to celebrate Valentine's Day and Black History Month. Here are teen romances written by a Black authors!
Fútbol America: Books for Kids
A selection of football (soccer) fiction for younger readers ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Your library staff's favorite dinosaurs 🦕
We asked our staff what their favorite dinosaurs are. Here are their answers!
Children's Music That Caregivers Can Tolerate
Like adults, children deserve good-quality music. Just not the kind that causes caregivers to cover their eyes and pull out their hair!
Screen Time & Internet Safety for Kids
Fiction and nonfiction titles for little ones, middle grade kids, teens, and adults.
Children's Music That Caregivers Can Tolerate
Like adults, children deserve good-quality music. Just not the kind that causes caregivers to cover their eyes and pull out their hair!
Search and Find By Picture
Search-and-Find books that have you seek based on pictures, no words required. Readers of all literacy levels can participate in the search!
Picturebooks about War
If children are asking difficult questions about war, these picturebooks may help begin answering them in ways they can understand.
Staff Pick Spotlight: America 250
Kansas Poetry
The Kansas 250 Bookshelf was created by the State Library of Kansas in conjunction with America 250.
Love Your Kansas Community
Celebrate Kansas with these books related to the history and events of various Kansas communities.
America 250 Reading List
To celebrate the America's 250th anniversary, PBS Books made this booklist to celebrate the people, events, and ideals that made America.
Kansas: The Road to Statehood
America 250: Learn about the State of Kansas from the early native Kanza tribe, to the early pioneer days, to Bloody Kansas.
Saving Matt Damon
That lovable scamp Matt Damon gets into all sorts of trouble and needs to be rescued almost every time!
Your library staff's favorite dinosaurs 🦕
We asked our staff what their favorite dinosaurs are. Here are their answers!
Autism Reads for Late Diagnosed Women
...and those wanting to better understand them. The spectrum is broad and each story can help fill in the bigger picture.
My Ideal Bookshelf
Here you'll find my favorite character-driven stories, complex people, and stylistic complexity and evocative, lyrical language.
Funny Books Guaranteed to Make You LOL
According to Eppie Shepherd and Penguin UK editors, these titles will have you laughing out loud.
A Sip & A Story: Happy National Afternoon Tea Month 🍵
For National Afternoon Tea Month, I'm bringing you a handpicked selection of books to be enjoyed at afternoon tea.
The Vampires We Need
In her book "Our Vampires, Ourselves," Professor Nina Auerbach writes that “every age embraces the vampire it needs.”
My Ideal Bookshelf
Scifi/fantasy adventures, steamy page-turners, happy endings, and queer characters. Escape into some of my favorites!
You Read What as a Kid? A Gen X Reading List
A selection of books I and many other voracious Generation X readers picked up a tad too early (but still loved).
If You Liked: Project Hail Mary
Hey Siri, play 'Champagne Supernova' by Oasis on Spotify!
Volunteers Recommend Audiobooks & Movies
Check out this list for diverse recommendations of stories for your ears and your eyes!
Spring Reading Recs!
Match your next read to your favorite spring activity!
Children's Music That Caregivers Can Tolerate
Like adults, children deserve good-quality music. Just not the kind that causes caregivers to cover their eyes and pull out their hair!
Screen Time & Internet Safety for Kids
Fiction and nonfiction titles for little ones, middle grade kids, teens, and adults.
Big Companies Doing Bad Things
This list is a mix of nonfiction, fiction, feature films, and documentaries about corporate scandals and wrongdoings.
Detective Novels
No matter what world or universe you may inhabit in the multiverse, there are rain-swept streets down which hard-bitten detectives walk.