KCK Public Library in process of implementing new RFID technology

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Kansas City, Kansas Public library is in the process of implementing RFID technology at all library locations.

The Main Library, Mobile Library, South Branch Library, Turner Community Library, and Mr. & Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library were all converted earlier this year and the final branch will be completed this month. West Wyandotte Library will be closed for conversions August 17-23. 

They will reopen on August 24 at the regular time. Implementing RFID technology requires library branches to be closed to give staff time to tag all items with RFID tags and install the new RFID machines. 

This new technology will improve many aspects of the library’s service.  It will create a new patron experience that allows for faster and easier checkout of items. 

It will also allow staff to more easily inventory and manage the collection so they are better able to meet the information and entertainment needs of the community.

Since staff will no longer have to spend a large portion of time managing the checkout of items, it will allow them more time to offer their skills and knowledge towards beneficial programs and services both in the library branches and in the community.  

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification.  It is a technology that uses radio waves to automatically identify certain items. 

RFID is frequently used for a variety of purposes including store inventory, employee ID badges, pet ID tags, and much more.  In libraries, the RFID tag replaces the current barcode system. 

Each library item receives a unique tag that allows staff to find, organize, and track the item. It will also allow patrons to check out items on their own, using RFID machines that can easily read multiple items at one time.

More information regarding the use of RFID can be found on the library’s website at kckpl.org

Digital comics and ebooks now available to KCKPL cardholders through hoopla

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Kansas City, Kansas Public Library cardholders can now access hundreds of ebooks and digital comic books instantly through hoopla. 

These two new collections are joining the streaming audiobooks, movies, music, and television shows already available. 

The comics feature hoopla’s groundbreaking Action View, built-in technology that enables full-page and panel-by-panel views for immersive reading experiences.

The ebooks offer the ability to enlarge text, search within the text, and bookmark.

To access this great new content, visit http://ecommunity.kckpl.org.  Comics and ebooks can be checked out and read immediately.

Unlike many other ebook products, hoopla allows multiple users to access them at the same time, resulting in no wait time.  

Anyone who does not currently have a KCKPL library card or eCard can sign up for an eCard on the website.

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library to implement RFID technology

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Kansas City, Kansas Public library will soon implement RFID technology at all library branches and the mobile library. This new technology will improve many aspects of the library’s service. 

It will create a new patron experience that allows for faster and easier checkout of items.  It will also allow staff to more easily inventory and manage the collection so they are better able to meet the information and entertainment needs of the community.

Since staff will no longer have to spend a large portion of time managing the checkout of items, it will allow them more time to offer their skills and knowledge towards beneficial programs and services both in the library branches and in the community.  

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification.  It is a technology that uses radio waves to automatically identify certain items.  RFID is frequently used for a variety of purposes including store inventory, employee ID badges, pet ID tags, and much more. 

In libraries, the RFID tag replaces the current barcode system.  Each library item receives a unique tag that allows staff to find, organize, and track the item. It will also allow patrons to check out items on their own, using RFID machines that can easily read multiple items at one time.

Implementing RFID technology will require library branches to be closed for up to one week to tag all items with RFID tags and install the new RFID machines.   KCKPL will close one branch at a time starting in April and May. 

Patrons may still use the book drops and other library branches during this time.  Updates on the closing schedule and more information regarding the use of RFID can be found on the library’s website at kckpl.org.

KCK Public Library announces March selection for online book club

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Join Kansas City, Kansas Public Library’s Youngbloods Online Book Club to discuss this month’s creepy and enchanting selection, Fiendish by Brenna Yovanoff.  Members will also get a chance to read a Q&A between library staff and Yovanoff.

Fiendish is a strange and magical tale: Clementine DeVore spent ten years trapped in a cellar, pinned down by willow roots, silenced and forgotten.  Magic is a fearsome and hopeful thing.  For Clementine, magic is what imprisoned her and magic is what saved her life.

When terrifying and unexplainable things began to happen in the town of New South Bend, the townspeople turned on her kind – the magical families who got their power from the strange and terrible fiends in the woods of Wixby Hollow.

Catch up on the world of Insurgent with KCK Public Library

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Jump on the Divergent craze before the next movie comes out with a little help from the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library.

Insurgent will be in theaters next month, but you can listen to the eAudiobook today through KCKPL’s eCommunity.

The library has both Insurgent and Allegiant available for instant download with no wait through Hoopla.

The library also has ebook, audiobook, and print copies available through the regular library catalog.

To start binge-listening to Veronica Roth’s dystopian series, visit http://ecommunity.kckpl.org.

They can be downloaded to your device instantly with no long hold lines.

Just use your eCard or regular library card to check it out.  If you don’t have a card, you can sign up for one on the eCommunity site.

KCK Public Library launches online book club

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The Kansas City, Kansas Public library has launched its first ever completely online book club.

Designed for book-lovers who want to enjoy the books and discuss at their own pace, the book club will be solely hosted on the library’s eCommunity site and have no scheduled meetings.  It will feature video introductions to the books, interactive elements, and easy online commenting.

Find Facebook book club selection at Kansas City, Kansas Public Library

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Mark Zuckerberg recently announced the creation of a Facebook book club, where followers can read and discuss the same books that he will be reading in 2015.  If you’d like to participate, Kansas City, Kansas Public Library is here to help.

The first book selection, The End of Power by Moisés Naím, is available as an eAudiobook through KCKPL’s eCommunity.

To check out The End of Power, visit http://ecommunity.kckpl.org.  It can be downloaded to your device instantly with no long hold lines.

Celebrate quilting with Kansas City, Kansas Public Library

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – In January and February, join Kansas City, Kansas Public Library in celebrating the beautiful and enduring art of quilting.

Quilting is at once both an ancient art and thoroughly modern practice, resulting in lovely, and often practical, works that can use new techniques to connect to a long history.

Quilters require creativity, patience, and an acute attention to detail to create their masterpieces. KCKPL is celebrating the passion and inspiration of these artists through a series of exhibits, programs, and classes.

KCKPL will host quilting exhibits at two of the branches during the celebration.  Four Quilters; Four Styles by The Northland Quilters Guild will be on exhibit at West Wyandotte Library.  The Northland Quilters Guild is a group inspired by those who share their passion for quilting.

Tracey Boswell: Pieces to Projects will also be on display at West Wyandotte Library. Boswell takes inspiration from many places and feels the most success in bringing together disparate pieces of fabric into a useful and beautiful whole.

Kansas City Kansas Public Library to launch eCard service for at-home digital access

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Kansas City, Kansas Public Library is launching a new digital eCard service to offer free, at-home access to entertainment and information resources for people in the metro area. 

Similar to Netflix or Amazon Prime, this new service will give instant access to thousands of digital items such as ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music, magazines, and research resources all for no cost to the user. 

Users will be able to access the library’s current digital collection, along with new entertainment options such as streaming movies, music, and digital audiobooks from services like Hoopla and OneClickDigital.   Most items will allow multiple users to access them at the same time, resulting in no wait time.

Signing up for an eCard is a fast and easy process that only requires an internet or mobile connection. 

Those who want to sign up will simply need to go to KCKPL’s eCommunity website and register for an account; a library visit is not required. 

Once they have signed up for the eCard, they can immediately begin checking out digital items. The eCard will officially launch on November 18, but a sneak peek of the service can be seen at http://ecommunity.kckpl.org.

It is the hope of KCKPL that the eCard will expand the ability of individuals to access library services, particularly those people who do not normally visit a library branch. 

Anyone who is eligible for a library card is able to sign up for an eCard and access the items available in the eCommunity, whether they are currently a library patron or not. 

Those who currently have a library card with KCKPL will automatically be granted access to the new eCommunity.  The eCommunity is accessible on computers, mobile phones, and tablet devices.

Join KCKPL for a Free Concert by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- As part of the second annual Bop in the Dotte, Kansas City, Kansas Public Library is hosting a free concert by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra on Thursday, November 20. 

The concert will take place at 7 pm in the KCKCC Performing Arts Center. Prior to the concert, there will be a reception with punch and cookies in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center.

No tickets necessary; seating is first come, first served. The library invites all jazz lovers to attend this exciting event! For more information about the concert, visit kckpl.org or call 913-627-0306.
The library will also be hosting a toiletries drive for homeless students in KCK during the concert. 

To help, simply bring in a new-full-sized toiletry item to leave in one of the donation boxes.  For a list of preferred items, contact one of the library branches.

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library was formed in 1895.  In 1899, it came under the authority of the Kansas City, Kansas Public School District Board of Education and remains there today.  

It serves a population of 159,129.  The mission of Kansas City, Kansas Public Library is to connect members of a dynamic community with information, tools, resources, and welcoming spaces to enrich lives in Wyandotte County. 

The library can be found online at kckpl.org

KCK Public Library to hold ribbon cutting for new bookmobile

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The Kansas City, Kansas Public Library is holding a ribbon cutting to celebrate the launch of its brand new bookmobile.

The community is invited to attend the event celebrating this momentous occasion.  Those who attend will have an opportunity to see the bookmobile before it begins its official route.

The bookmobile is a key component in the library’s mission of connecting members of a dynamic community with information, tools, resources, and welcoming spaces to enrich their lives.

The purpose of the bookmobile is to serve individuals who have difficulty reaching a library branch.  It extends current library services to the larger community and helps to lessen the digital divide.  It will provide access to library collections as well as the ability to access the internet through an on-site wireless connection and a mobile computer lab.

The Bookmobile Ribbon Cutting will be at 2:30 pm on October 1, 2014.

It will take place at Juniper Gardens at 1980 N. 2nd Street, Kansas City, Kansas, 66101.

West Wyandotte Library closes early

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- The West Wyandotte Library branch of the Kansas City, Kan., has closed due to utility work.

The library closed at 5 p.m. today.

The library is expected to open on time tomorrow.

Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey's to visit KCK Public Library

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey clown, Billy, will visit the Kansas City, Kansas Library’s LEGO© Club on Wednesday, Aug. 6 as part of the circus’ first “Clown Crawl,” of which Kansas City will play host.

Billy will visit multiple metro locations during Aug. 6 – 9 to celebrate Book Lovers Day, which is on Aug. 9, to officially announce tickets on sale for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Built To Amaze, an eight-performance run at Spring Center, Sept. 10 – 14.

Also included on Billy’s tour is an appearance at Sprint© Family Fun Days in downtown Kansas City on Saturday, Aug. 9.

KCK Public Library to host Destination Science Camp

A note from the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library: 

The Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Schlagle Environmental Library branch of Kansas City, Kansas Public Library is hosting the Destination Science Camp for kids age 12-15.   

Campers will learn about science, nature, and the environment while engaging in fun activities like orienteering, fishing, water exploration, and hiking.  Registration is limited, but there are still spaces left!  For more information, see the attached flyer or visit www.kckpl.org.

Click the flyer below for more information.

KCKCC Recognizes West Wyandotte Library for Assistance in NEH Series

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Kansas City Kansas Community College is starting to honor those that help to make last year’s National Endowment for the Humanities Series a success.

Tuesday, Cherilee Walker, dean of humanities and fine arts at KCKCC, presented a donation of jazz CDs to West Wyandotte Library. The library hosted all of the events in 2013 related to the series, “America’s Music: A Film History of Our Popular Music from Blues to Bluegrass to Broadway.”

“This will add a lot of high quality jazz CDs to the library that we could not get through our normal vendors,” said David Thomas, audio/visual services supervisor at West Wyandotte Library. “This time, we were able to go through Amazon and find some really good gems that we otherwise would not have been able to get.”

The series, which started in February 2013, looked at different genres of music and the people who influenced them. KCKCC was awarded a $2,500 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities last year to fund the series, and the college was the only applicant in Kansas to receive the grant funding.

The various episodes that were scheduled throughout the year focused on genres such as the Latin influence in American music, with focus on the mambo and hip-hop; blues and gospel; Broadway; swing; country/bluegrass and rock n’ roll music. In addition the films that were shown, each episode featured a group discussion on the genre and often, a musical guest. All of the events were free and open to the public.

NEH Supplemental Personnel included:

• Blues & Gospel - Dr.  Marvin Hunt, Dean of Business & Continuing Education, also a regionally-known blues guitarist let everyone in the audience try to play his slide guitar and Shawn Derritt, Director of the Student Advising Center, shared his recently-released CD of gospel favorites.

• Broadway & Tin Pan Alley - Breanna Danielle, KCKCC alumnus now adjunct instructor in theatre, performed several modern Broadway selections with local choreographer, Guy Gardner.

• Swing - English/Humanities faculty member Polly Hawk served as a guest scholar, discussing the rise of all-female bands during the big band era and KCKCC pianist Mike Ning accompanied Dr. Cherilee Walker, Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts, on various jazz standards.

• Country & Bluegrass - Dr. Mike Pettengell, professor of English and fine arts radio host, made introductory comments and performed on mandolin and    Betse Ellis and Chad Brothers, regional artists sponsored through Folk Alliance International, played a few favorites and invited everyone to sing along.

• Rock - Jim Krajewski, coordinator of English, served as project scholar and brought his acoustic trio to share pieces composed by Bob Dylan.

• Mambo & Hip Hop - Awilda Olson, coordinator of languages, provided cultural context and Enrique Chi, lead vocalist for a KC bilingual rock band and Roger Suggs (aka “Vigiliante”), a staff member in KCKCC’s Community Outreach program, performed.

“All-in-all, it was a great experience,” Walker said. “The lines between performers and audience members blurred, as everyone had an opportunity to share thoughts, talents. I look forward to the next opportunity for such a worthwhile collaboration.   “

Local partners that helped to sponsor the series were KCKCC, West Wyandotte Library and EL Centro, Inc. National sponsors of the event are the National Endowment for the Humanities, American Library Association and Tribeca Flashpoint.

“Rock music is probably our highest circulating genre, but jazz is right up there,” Thomas said. “It is still circulating really well, so these will be some outstanding choices to offer to the community.”

For more information about KCKCC’s Humanities and Fine Arts Department, contact Cherilee Walker at 913-288-7269 or by email at cwalker@kckcc.edu. For more information about the NEH, visit the website, www.neh.gov.

Mennonite author Shirley Hershey Showalter to speak at KCK Public Library

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Author Shirley Hershey Showalter will give a talk at the South Branch of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library on March 7, 2014 at 3 p.m.

She will be speaking about her new memoir Blush: A Mennonite Girl Meets a Glittering World and her journey from a young Mennonite girl to a college president.

Most of her memoir centers on her childhood in the Mennonite Community and her conflicting desire to become a sophisticated woman in the outside world.

Shirley Hershey Showalter was born to a family of Swiss-German farmers in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  She grew up during a time when many in the Mennonite church were favoring a more progressive direction and that helped shape her experiences, particularly as one who supported the move.  She was the first person in her family to attend college.  She later went on to be a teacher, professor, and college president before becoming an author.

Showalter offers several subjects for her talk and those who attend may get a chance to vote on which one she’ll give.  For more information, contact the library at 913-722-7400.  The South Branch is located at 3104 Strong Ave, Kansas City, Kansas, 66106.

WEATHER CLOSINGS: KCK Public Library to close at 4 p.m.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- The Kansas City, Kan., Public Library will be closing all of its branches at 4 p.m.

The closings are a result of the weather.

We'll post more closings as we get them.

Join KCKPL for a free concert by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The Kansas City, Kansas Public Library is hosting a freeconcert by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra on Wednesday, December 18, at Wyandotte High School.

The concert will begin at 6:00 pm in the auditorium. The library invites jazz lovers of all ages to attend this exciting event.

Prior to the concert, there will be a free barbecue dinner and reception offered at the school at 5 p.m.  To reserve tickets for the concert and dinner, visit www.kckpl.org or contact your local branch.

The Kansas City, Kan., Public Library is hosting the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra as part of Bop in the Dotte, a celebration of Kansas City jazz and culture.

The concert is the culminating event of the eight week celebration.  During the celebration, library branches will be hosting special jazz themed programs, including book clubs, book signings, movies, food tastings, and concerts.

For a complete calendar of the programs, visit www.kckpl.org.

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library to host Chuck Haddix, author of Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The Kansas City, Kan., Public Library’s Main Library branch will host local author Chuck Haddix on Nov. 20th at 1 p.m.  Haddix will be discussing his new book Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase and a book signing will follow the discussion.
Haddix’s in-depth look into the life of Charlie Parker reveals the man behind the music.

The biography includes first-hand accounts from the people who knew him and information from new sources.

Illustrated with several never-before-seen images, Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker focuses not only on Parker’s music, but also the story of his life, including his struggles with addiction and mental health.
Chuck Haddix is the director of the Marr Sound Archives, a collection of 340,000 historic sound recordings housed in the Miller Nichols Library at the University of Missouri--Kansas City.

Haddix hosts the “Fish Fry” a popular radio program featuring the finest in blues, soul, rhythm and blues, jumpin’ jive and zydeco on kcur.org FM 89.3, Kansas City’s public radio station.  Over the years, Haddix has contributed to a wide variety of theatrical, recording, video and film projects.

His articles have appeared in Down Beat and Living Blues Magazine.  In 2005, he coauthored, with Frank Driggs, a history of Kansas City jazz, Kansas City Jazz: From Ragtime to Bebop–A History for Oxford University Press.

His biography of Charlie Parker, Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker, was published in September by the University of Illinois Press.  

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library is hosting Chuck Haddix as part of Bop in the Dotte, a celebration of Kansas City jazz and culture.

Library branches will be hosting special jazz themed programs, including book clubs, book signings, movies, food tastings, and concerts.

For a complete calendar of the programs, visit www.kckpl.org.

KCK Public Library to present "Memories of Ahmad Alaadeen"

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Kansas City, Kansas Public Library will be presenting Memories of Ahmad Alaadeen, featuring Fanny Alaadeen with a performance by The Young 21ers.

Fanny Alaadeen will be reading from her new book, The Heartbeat Next to My Heartbeat.  Copies will be available for purchase and signing.

The late Ahmad Alaadeen, a skilled musician and Kansas City native, made a major impact on the Kansas City jazz scene.

He debuted as a professional with the Leo E. Davis concert band at age 14.  He also played with Jay McShann, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, The Count Basie Orchestra, and many, many others.  In addition to being a performer, he also taught jazz both in the school system and privately.  He has won numerous awards, including Kansas City’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2000, in a United States Congressional Record he was recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives for his contributions to his community’s understanding of jazz heritage.  In 2002, he was issued a Proclamation from the Office of the Governor, State of Missouri for outstanding achievements in the art form of jazz.

Fanny Alaadeen is the widow and former manager of Alaadeen.  The two met in 1987 when she approached him at one of his concerts to ask for saxophone teacher recommendations.

He offered to teach her himself.  They worked together, became friends, and fell in love.  They were together for 24 years before his death from cancer in 2010.

The Heartbeat Next to My Heartbeat was written as her way of grieving his passing.  The book of poems and essays explores their romance and the devastation of losing the love of her life.

Following Ms. Alaadeen’s reading, there will be a performance by bass player Seth Lee and The Young 21ers.  The group members were protégés of Alaadeen and often played with him.

The reading and concert will take place at the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library’s Main Library branch on November 17 at 3:00pm.  Kansas City, Kansas Public Library is hosting Fanny Alaadeen and The Young 21ers as part of Bop in the Dotte, a celebration of Kansas City jazz and culture.

Library branches will be hosting special jazz themed programs, including book clubs, book signings, movies, food tastings, and concerts.

For a complete calendar of the programs, visit www.kckpl.org.