Extraordinary Kansas City Public Library in Missouri
Building of the Public Library was one of the most significant events influencing leap of Kansas City from a small country town to a metropolis. It was established as the Public School Library in 1873. It became a cultural center providing both educational resources and entertainment. This library enhanced image of the city and made it more attractive for the East Coast promoters. Otherwise, the beginning of the library was rather humble.
A set of American Encyclopedia was its first collection. By the way, the oak bookcase where this set was placed is still in the library. Only in 1889 the library moved to the new building which cost $10,000. The building was located on the 8th Oak Street. But in 10 years, the library outgrew this simple building and in 1897 the library moved again. This time the building was both an architectural and economic achievement. It cost about $200,000 and was located at 9th Street and Locust Street.
The building had a grand rotunda. Its reference rooms were decorated with murals and wonderful framed paintings. Its design was a real artistic inspiration. During first two days of its operation about 20,000 people visited it. It should be said, in 1901 William Rockhill Nelson presented an amazing collection of paintings from the Western Gallery of Art to Kansas Library.
Some time later, the gallery was separated from the library and was called the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. As for the library, it outgrew its building again and in 1960s it moved 12th Street where it was until 1990s. In 2004 the new Kansas City Public Library opened its doors. This time it was located at 10th and Baltimore Streets.
Today Kansas City Public Library in Missouri is a large system consisting of the central library and nine branches. It provides services to 250,000 people in Kansas City, Missouri, and 1.7 million people living in greater Kansas City. There are about 2, 326, 922 materials in it, including books, audios, CDs, videos, etc.
The building of the central library is made using state-of-the-art technology. It has a screening room, meeting rooms, a coffee shop and a lot of other facilities. The library offers its visitors plenty of both educational and entertaining events including exhibits of paintings.
Source: Kclibrary
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