Renovated Kirkwood Public Library to open July 17
at 140 E. Jefferson

The newly renovated library will open its doors July 17. You’ll recognize the address:  140 East Jefferson. Both of these – the date and the location – are just around the corner, literally and figuratively.  

In preparation for the move, the temporary location at 200 South Kirkwood Road will shut its doors at 5 pm, Sunday, July 11, so that all the books and materials may be relocated to the new library. The library will remain closed July 12 – 16.

The outside book drop will be moved the morning of July 12, re-positioned to its permanent location at 140 E. Jefferson, and available for use later that day. Please allow some time for the movers to get the book drop to its new home.

Materials placed on hold that come in during this transition will be available for five days following the July 17 opening. You may still get a call from our automated system during this time. In addition, any materials that are due during this transition may be returned fine free from July 12 – 31.

Volunteers will be on hand at both locations during this transition phase to assist you with your questions and concerns. We appreciate your patience and patronage while we make the move to our shiny, new space.

Glorious New Library Space

We can’t wait to see it either!

The construction fence is gone from outside the library. New, energy-efficient windows and striking light fixtures are evident, but from the outside the library appears to look much the same. Enter the front doors though, and you’re immediately taken by the breathtaking central staircase and the spaciousness of the first floor. 

It all flows seamlessly, from the Friends of the Library shop just inside the entrance to the Circulation Desk in the center lobby, fiction collection to the right, and reading room to the left. 

The Teen Space is in the southeast corner with the nonfiction books and staff offices on the second floor. Twelve computers are available to the public on the main floor along with training and videoconferencing. The Children’s area is on the lower floor along with a large meeting room.

Major parts of the renovation include new and updated systems … electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and fire suppression.  All entrances and bathrooms will be handicap accessible, and the building sports a brand new elevator.

Grand Opening for New Kirkwood Public Library Set for August 14, 10 am

Bring your whole family, and help us celebrate the grand opening of our newly renovated library at 140 East Jefferson on August 14 at 10 am.

With music, dessert, beverages, door prizes, crafts and a scavenger hunt, this gala will offer fun and entertainment for all ages. Take a tour and pick out your favorite spot in the new building.

Margaret Conroy, Missouri State Librarian, will be in attendance with opening remarks to enhance the grandeur of the occasion.  You can also hear from Randy Miltenberger, Library Board President. As lead project manager over the entire renovation project, Randy was intimately involved in the process from start to finish.

We look forward to this grand celebration after many months of planning, hard work and patient anticipation to move into our new, spectacular space.  Come and explore with us.

Keep your eyes on the prize and turn in your reading time by August 7

With the big move occurring in mid-July, you might have thought Summer Reading wasn’t on our radar … well it is!

Just keep on reading and logging your minutes on our website to earn fabulous prizes. A mere ten hours of reading will earn you a Tropical Moose coupon, so you can quench your thirst for a good story and then quench your thirst again.

For those who conquer 50 hours of reading this summer, you’ll earn a free book and get to see your name in print in the Webster-Kirkwood Times.

So keep this on your radar: The deadline is August 7 to submit your reading minutes.  Beyond the prizes, there’s also a host of activities such as the Hawaiian Polynesian dance group that will perform on July 31, 2 pm, at the Community Center, giving you a taste of the tropics.  Check out our calendar for more cool things to do this summer.

We want your donations, but not until we’re in the new building!

The Friends will have a brand new space in the new library, and we’re looking forward to sorting through your donations when we get there. In the meantime, we ask one favor:

Please hold your book donations until the new library opens.

Any material donated to the library will have to be moved to the new location. So to minimize the time and expense of the move, please hold your material until we open at 140 E. Jefferson. After July 17, we’d love to get your donations again.

Please keep in mind that we’re looking for clean books in nice condition. Unfortunately, there are some items that we cannot use:

-         Magazines

-         Encyclopedias

-         LPs

-         Obsolete textbooks

The Friends thank you for all your wonderful help, and

 All off-site events will go on as scheduled

See our online calendar for a full listing of events going on at the library. There are activities for every age and interest. All events are proceeding as scheduled, with the exception of those few listed here.

Family Book Club Jr. on July 12 is rescheduled for July 19 at 7:30 in the new library. We’ll discuss Alvin Ho – Allergic to Girls and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look. For grades 2-3 and parents.

Make & Take Crafts on July 13 is canceled. We’ll create some more fun the following week on July 20 at 11 am.

Eat Write Club on July 14 is canceled. We’ll reconvene on July 21 at 11 am. Kids entering grades 4-7 can bring a sack lunch and participate in some creative writing activities.

Family Book Club on July 14 is rescheduled for July 21 in the new library. We’ll talk about The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. For grades 4-6 and parents.

Weekly Storytime on July 14 is canceled. Join us July 21 at 10 am in the new library when our theme will be Under the Sea.