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.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
223 reviews
Excellent
160
Very good
47
Average
10
Poor
2
Terrible
4
Mary S
1 contribution
Jun 2022 • Solo
Went to the Waldo Branch this afternoon when a man who obviously had some mental problems started trying to hold a conversation with me; of which I was not interested. He grabbed the mouse of the computer where I was sitting and I signaled for the guard to come get him. The man came back and laid a book on my arm and the staff and the security guard did very little and they should have immediately put him out. Unfortunately I discovered that I had left my mace at home but in the future I will call 911 and I will not be going back to Waldo . The staff appeared scared and totally unprepared to handle the situation.
Written June 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
patriciaddavisaz
Phoenix, AZ49 contributions
Jul 2021
Worth a stop to see this beautiful building. We were visiting KC and decided to stop here, it was well Roth the stop. You can get your parking ticket validated for up to one hour of free parking in the garage across the street.
Written July 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
79jenniek
Bear Creek, North Carolina, United States25 contributions
Jul 2022
I went to find the "wall of books" to take pictures with. I was super disappointed to find that the trees were now so tall and full you can barely see the titles. On top of that, there was drug paraphernalia on the ground in front of the wall. This could be such a beautiful place to visit, but I felt uneasy the whole time after seeing the needles and pipe laying on the ground.
Written August 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tommy R
Dix Hills, NY21 contributions
Nov 2022
Me and my wife were walking around with our 16 month old looking for something to do and came across the Library and decided to pop in since it looked beautiful from the outside, and I have to say OMG. If you have little ones and want to find activities this is a great option. A ton of stuff for kids of all ages and entire floor dedicated to them, and its a big floor. Staff was incredible.
Written November 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gardengel-IoW
West Sussex, UK1,014 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
The actual car park was backed up for some reason. Eventually parked on street for free and walked round the corner. It is certainly a unique car park, not the actual library, that looks like the spines of books, very large and very clever. Library is a large old stone building across the road!
As visitors we were only there to see the car park, fun idea, even the steps were made to look like books.
As visitors we were only there to see the car park, fun idea, even the steps were made to look like books.
Written August 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sherri M
San Antonio, TX41 contributions
Jul 2024 • Friends
Went to see the wall of books. Cool idea but sooo gross. They have put astroturf and a dog poop station between the sidewalk and the wall. Except no one uses the dog poop station. So there is dog poop EVERYWHERE! What a beautiful idea to creat the wall of books but then completely ruin it with a literal crap show in front of it. And definitely, don’t try to get a picture with your kids in front of the wall. So completely unsanitary. And the trees mostly block the wall now any way so save yourself the trip.
Written August 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo-Ann
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia17,192 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
I was disappointed when I saw trees in front of the infamous “bookshelf”. Lousy idea and spoils it all. I came all the way from Malaysia to take good pictures of the giant books. Did not get them. However, the library itself did not disappoint at all. It is beautiful and elegant. Great facilities for all.
Written May 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
booknerd2011
Hooks, TX6 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
For the book lover, the art enthusiast, and the architect geek, this place is for you. I couldn't get enough and you won't either!! Great place! Would definitely go again!
Written August 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KPMcK
Ames, IA13 contributions
Jul 2014 • Business
I stopped in the library after seeing that they were currently showing two exhibits I was interested in seeing. The first was called 'Apron Strings' which was a collection of various vintage aprons which have been very well preserved. The collection was lovely and included bits of background and history on each one. Very enjoyable. The other exhibit which was very interesting to visit was a historical display on the Kansas City Stockyards. Also, If you are in the downtown area, don't miss the parking garage adjacent to the library. It's south facade features a series of book spines and is impressive. I also picked up a brochure at the library for a walking tour of the library district which features information on a number of beautiful historic buildings and is very interesting.
Written July 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wetravelwell_11
Kansas City, MO102 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
Come for the architecture, the events, and of course, the collection! Try to catch one of the movies on the rooftop in their summer series. Get on their mailing list for great events and expand your knowledge and thinking!
Written January 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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!!!!!
Written June 29, 2015
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.
Written June 30, 2015
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