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.
Women's History Month
Some newer books in our collection about iconic, pioneering, and legendary women and women's movements.
Films Shining a Light on Historical Women
In honor of Women's History Month, here's a mix of fictionalized accounts and documentaries on historical women around the globe.
Women's History Month: Memoirs
March is Women's History Month! Explore some influential women in history through their own words with these memoirs.
Black Women to Read Now
Maya Angelou's mission was "to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."
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.
Who Runs the World? Girls!
Check out these diverse stories (for middle-grade readers) of brave, fierce, powerful girls and women of the past and present.
JoCoLibrary-Dynamite Dinosaurs!
Aren’t Dinosaurs fascinating? Dinosaurs are a group of reptiles that have lived on Earth for about 245 million years. More facts incoming!
National Love Your Pet Day
February 20th is National Love Your Pet Day! Here are some movies that tell stories about our animal pals.
Storytime with Becky Carleton - Spring 2026
Becky Carleton's Spring '26 Storytime goodies are here - the songs, rhymes, fingerplays, and library items recommended for checkout!
6 by 6 Ready to Read: Nurture a Reader
Books about neuroplasticity, early literacy skills, and techniques to help you foster a lifelong love of books and reading in your baby.
Staff Pick Spotlight: 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.
Women's History Month
Some newer books in our collection about iconic, pioneering, and legendary women and women's movements.
Films Shining a Light on Historical Women
In honor of Women's History Month, here's a mix of fictionalized accounts and documentaries on historical women around the globe.
Who Runs the World? Girls!
Check out these diverse stories (for middle-grade readers) of brave, fierce, powerful girls and women of the past and present.
Women's History Month: Memoirs
March is Women's History Month! Explore some influential women in history through their own words with these memoirs.
Women in History for Teens
Teen books for those interested in herstory
Black Women to Read Now
Maya Angelou's mission was "to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."
Women's History Month in Graphic Novels
Check out these graphic non-fic titles for women's history month!
Going Analog in 2026? Do It at the Library!
From cozy crafting with friends to sewing in the MakerSpace, you can nourish connection and creativity and go analog at the Library.
Dinosaurs in Fiction - Inspired by "Dinosaurs Revealed"
Sure, almost every toddler goes through a dinosaur phase, but what about the grown-ups?
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.
JoCoLibrary-Dynamite Dinosaurs!
Aren’t Dinosaurs fascinating? Dinosaurs are a group of reptiles that have lived on Earth for about 245 million years. More facts incoming!
JoCoLibrary - Preschool - Dinosaurs
Check out these dinosaur picks for preschoolers!
National Love Your Pet Day
February 20th is National Love Your Pet Day! Here are some movies that tell stories about our animal pals.
Movies that I regret not seeing sooner
We've all done it, checked out a movie and instead of watching it, decided to binge watch reality TV instead, and returned it unwatched.
Northwest Region Reads: Long Winter Picks for a Short Winter
Staff at Monticello and Shawnee share things that helped them get through winters past.
Chinese Zodiac Book Pairing
Enjoy this eclectic list of books featuring your zodiac animal starting with the Year of the Horse (2026) and following in order!