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.
Star Trek at 60: Documentaries and Non-Fiction
The month of September marks the 60th anniversary of one of the greatest (& most hopeful) Science Fiction series of all time!
Agriculture and Rural Life
The September Kansas 250 Bookshelf spotlights agriculture and rural life.
Library Staff: What's Been on Your For Later Shelf Forever?
For some of us, books can sit on the for-later shelf for years, and the list just grows. Mine is over 700 titles long!
Teen Magical Realism
Enjoy these tales where the line between reality and fantasy start to blur!
Teen Thrillers with Latine & Indigenous Characters
Check out these tingling reads with Latine & Indigenous characters!
Rosh Hashanah 2026
The festival of Rosh Hashanah 5787 begins at sundown on the eve of Tishrei 1 (Sept. 11) and ends after nightfall on Tishrei 2 (Sept. 13)
Hispanic American Heritage Month Bios
Picture book Biographies of Hispanic Americans in English and Spanish.
September Means Fall!
Begone, 100 degree days! Here's some books for all ages about the fall season!
Thrillers & Horror with POC Characters for Middle Grade
Check out these suspenseful & scary stories with POC characters!
September Means Fall!
Begone, 100 degree days! Here's some books for all ages about the fall season!
Caturday: Funny Picture Books about Cats
Celebrate Caturday with these funny picture books about cats!
September is Library Card Sign-up Month!
Sure you can have fun without a library card, but it is easier if you have one!
Falling Into Autumn
As our days get shorter, we get closer to the Autumnal Equinox! The 2026 Autumnal Equinox is on September 22nd.
Staff Pick Spotlight: America 250
Agriculture and Rural Life
The September Kansas 250 Bookshelf spotlights agriculture and rural life.
Spotlight on Individual Kansans
Our America 250 August focus spotlights individual Kansans.
Kansas Food and Cookbooks
Our July Kansas 250 booklist focus features Kansas Food and Cookbooks.
Kansas and U.S. History
The Kansas 250 Bookshelf's June focus is Kansas and U.S. History.
Star Trek at 60: Documentaries and Non-Fiction
The month of September marks the 60th anniversary of one of the greatest (& most hopeful) Science Fiction series of all time!
Rosh Hashanah 2026
The festival of Rosh Hashanah 5787 begins at sundown on the eve of Tishrei 1 (Sept. 11) and ends after nightfall on Tishrei 2 (Sept. 13)
Hispanic American Heritage Month Bios
Picture book Biographies of Hispanic Americans in English and Spanish.
September is Classical Music Month
Stream music and more with your Library card!
Agriculture and Rural Life
The September Kansas 250 Bookshelf spotlights agriculture and rural life.
Teen Magical Realism
Enjoy these tales where the line between reality and fantasy start to blur!
Library Staff: What's Been on Your For Later Shelf Forever?
For some of us, books can sit on the for-later shelf for years, and the list just grows. Mine is over 700 titles long!
September Means Fall!
Begone, 100 degree days! Here's some books for all ages about the fall season!
Black Fantasy - Adult
Fantasy novels with Black characters for adults.
Recommended by New York Times Newsletter "The Morning" III
Recommendations and descriptions come from the NYT newsletter or a NYT review.
Caturday: Funny Picture Books about Cats
Celebrate Caturday with these funny picture books about cats!
Celebrate Classical Music Month
Celebrate Classical Music Month in September by exploring the history, composers and multiple facets of this music!
Oak Park Book Group Recommends- August 2026
A general list of books/movies that came up at the Oak Park Book Group for the discussion of the book The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
September is Library Card Sign-up Month!
Sure you can have fun without a library card, but it is easier if you have one!
Thrillers with Characters with Disabilities - Adult
These thrillers feature characters living with disabilities.
Falling Into Autumn
As our days get shorter, we get closer to the Autumnal Equinox! The 2026 Autumnal Equinox is on September 22nd.
Your Library. Your Voice.
Johnson County Library is looking toward the future with a new long-term plan. We need your help to create better services and bigger impact. Add your voice to the Library's story!
