Kansas City Public Library: Hours, Address, Kansas City Public Library Reviews: 4.5/5
Kansas City Public Library
Kansas City Public Library
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
The Kansas City Public Library system consists of a central library, nine physical branches, a digital branch, and an outreach services program serving a constituency of over 250,000 in Kansas City, Missouri. In addition to providing library services to residents, the Library also serves as a resource for the 1.7 million metropolitan residents of greater Kansas City.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingFull view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tours and Tickets
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
471 within 3 miles
Cosentino's Market and Deli
462
0.3 mi$ • Specialty Food Market • American • Vegetarian Friendly
The Majestic Restaurant
453
0.2 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Vegetarian Friendly
Yard House
320
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly
801 Chop House
386
0.4 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Gluten Free Options
The American Reserve
125
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Contemporary
Bristol Seafood Grill
738
0.4 mi$$$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Phoenix Jazz Club
106
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
BRGR Kitchen + Bar
410
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly
Anthony's Restaurant & Lounge
179
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
County Road Ice House
91
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Barbecue
Attractions
88 within 3 miles
KC Fountains
376
0.1 miFountains
Quality Hill Playhouse
29
0.1 miTheaters
Kansas City Symphony at Union Station
4
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Folly Theater
34
0.2 miTheaters
Barney Allis Plaza
4
0.2 miParks
Kansas City Convention Center
146
0.3 miConvention Centers
Garment District Museum
3
0.2 miSpeciality Museums
Arabia Steamboat Museum
2,156
0.5 miSpeciality Museums • History Museums
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
23
0.2 miReligious Sites
The College Basketball Experience
244
0.4 miSpeciality Museums
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
212 reviews
Excellent
154
Very good
46
Average
10
Poor
1
Terrible
1
JaneD
2 contributions
Kansas City's Library
Mar 2020 • Family
This very unique Library was once a bank. The parking garage is designed to look like a giant shelf of books. Even the steps look like books. Inside the Library is beautiful, upstairs is an incredible room for kids. On Saturdays they show movies Inside the old vault. There is a coffee shop available, it is well worth the visit.
Written April 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ADJ
Kansas City, MO7 contributions
An excellent re-purposing of an former bank building.
Jun 2019
Kansas City can be proud of this wonderful library. It could use more seating on the first floor, but otherwise, we have no complaints.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mrmo2k
Kansas City, MO5 contributions
KC has a wonderful library system
Feb 2020
Excellent inter library communication and loan. Out of town visitor friendly, free and comprehensive PC labs, inexpensive printing fees.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kadinger
Necedah, WI150 contributions
love the outside
Dec 2019
I love the outside it is such a cool piece. Lots to see inside too. Love free stuff and this is a top hit.
Written December 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SCC
2 contributions
So many little things to see
Mar 2019
Took my son, working on Boy Scout merit badge, to take photos of the building. Spent over a hour inside on all floors seeing really neat architecture. Loved the movie theater!
Written October 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
robinreagan3
Indianapolis, IN102 contributions
Superb History Crawl Sponsor
Oct 2019
By total coincidence our weekend visit to KC coincided with a History Crawl sponsored by the KC Public Library, among others. Walking along Main Street all the way to Union Station on a beautiful fall day with a guide explaining architecture and history of the buildings was outstanding. The stop midway for a special cocktail in a historic building made it even better! Unfortunately, the tour seems to be offered only occasionally, but if you're heading to KC then check out whether the library is offering another tour or other activity. They appear to have regular events of interest and if you have the time, go to the top floor and check out the patio overlooking the city with explanations of the view.
Written October 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Welovetotravel
Neosho, MO530 contributions
Neat history
Aug 2019 • Family
Cool- old library. The parking garage boasts the worlds largest books on the outside. There were several homeless inside the main library but that’s to be expected in downtown KC. Great experience overall with a neat childrens area.
Written August 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BronxSteve
Bronx, NY303 contributions
Beautiful old library
Jun 2019 • Couples
Wonderful classic library building, great architecture. Open late many nights so you can drop in on way to dinner or back.
Written June 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jenny J
Chilton, WI15 contributions
Beautiful architecture and what a vault!
May 2019 • Couples
We went as a mixed group of 15 adults and middle school students to see the book spines on the outside of the library. We ran into a snag when we got to the library to find out that the book spines are painted on a parking garage a block or so away. The library itself was stunning and the students loved checking out the door to the gigantic vault in the basement. The roof has a garden and a giant chess set that kept everyone entertained for quite a while. The library is right on the street car route so it was easy to get to and well worth the time we spent there.
Written June 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Joyce
3 contributions
Vacation
Jun 2019 • Friends
My 2 sisters love to read and the big draw for us was the books on the outside but we loved everything inside the library also. Even sat in the coffee shop for awhile.
Written June 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karen B
Illinois, United States22 contributions
How long would you allow to fully look and experience the library? I am working to budget the time we will be in KC and this info will help me. Thank you!!!!!
KaseyMoMo
Kansas City, MO165 contributions
You grasp the beauty and feel of the space just from stepping in the door - that's the best view and if time is tight down to the minute you can step in - absorb the old woodwork, architecture and floors and you'll have gained a sense of the place but yes 30 minutes is much better to go up the steps and say hello the the staff at the Reference counter - let them point you to any temporary exhibits and there will be some and just spend some quiet time in the building. Staff is proud of their building and will tell you a bit about it.
