What’s your favorite Kansas City attraction? There are so many fun things for families to see and do in KC, and now you can add a Johnson County library to the list.
Yes, that’s right, a library. JoCo opened its first new library of the 21st century, its Monticello branch, in western Shawnee, 22435 W. 66th St., is a two-story, 33,000-square-foot, $18.1-million facility. It features tall windows, an outdoor deck, comfy, modern spaces to curl up and read a book, community rooms and 90,000 books, CDs, DVDs and audiobooks. Library director Sean Casserley calls it the “library of the future.”
Just off Shawnee Mission Parkway and east of Kansas 7, it offers the latest technology with eight PCs, six Macs, high-end digital software and high-speed WiFi.
The library features a dedicated children’s children’s story-time room, plus a large kids’ reading and literacy space, including a presence from Kansas City’s Rabbit Hole, a nonprofit whose mission is to engage children to read.
The furniture invites patrons to stay a while, reading and relaxing. Under the grand staircase, you can hide away in a cozy reading nook, or take advantage of plentiful modern study spaces and rooms.
The best thing about the library — and a big reason why it’s a great new Kansas City attraction — is the rooftop terrace. Grab your favorite book or laptop and a latte and relax on the roof. It features WiFi access, charging stations, tables and chairs, and a green roof that helps lower the building’s heating and cooling costs. The exterior landscape boasts public art and offers a story-walk path to teach children early literacy skills.
The library has nine state-of-the-art community meeting rooms, including one that can hold more than 100 people. The best part is, they are open to nonprofit groups free of charge.
If you always feel like you’re too busy to go to the library, this one makes the check-out process easy. Patrons will find self-serve checkout kiosks, a drive-through window for busy people to pick up holds and a 24-hour outdoor book drop-off. Behind the scenes, the library includes an automated sorting system designed to get books and other materials back on the shelves and into circulation as quickly as possible.
The new Monticello library not only is a great Kansas City attraction but also a great way to spend some time with your family. It’s an exciting addition to JoCo’s already enviable amenities. For more information on what makes JoCo a great place to own a home, visit www.teamre.com. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in JoCo, call on Team Real Estate KC.