Mid-Continent Public Library (MCPL), serving 780,000 people in 56 cities in the three counties of Clay, Jackson, and Platte, invites the community to join with it in celebration of its 50th Anniversary. Browse our digital timeline to see all the changes and history that MCPL has gone through to become the great library system it has become. You are also invited to visit any of our 31 branches on Tuesday, November 10 to participate in MCPL’s 50th Birthday Celebration! Find more information at mymcpl.org/1965.
On November 10, 1965, the Clay County Public Library District and the Jackson County Public Library District formed the Mid-Continent Public Library Service.
Mr. James Leathers served as director of Mid-Continent Public Library Services (subsequently renamed Mid-Continent Public Library) from its inception on November 10th, 1965, until his death on January 4th, 1981.
Mid-Continent Public Library system was formed in 1965 when the libraries in Jackson, Clay, and Platte counties consolidated. A central building was needed to house the administrative staff. In November 1968, a new Administrative and Technical Services building was completed in Independence.
MCPL has always been a supporter of small businesses. Check out this ad from the 1970s promoting our small business services.
Our North Independence location began as the Independence Public Library in 1947. It then became a part of the Jackson County Public Library before becoming part of Mid-Continent Public Library. In 1973, it officially became the North Independence Branch.
On December 27, 1978, the Clay County Library District fully consolidated with the Jackson County Library District forming Consolidated Library District No. 3. And on February 20, 1979, the Platte County Court voted to consolidate the Platte County Library District with Consolidated Public Library District No. 3, also known as the Mid-Continent Public Library. In 1981, the Frank Hughes Memorial Library of Liberty merged with Mid-Continent Public Library, and the library system was now composed of 24 branch libraries in three counties.
John Ferguson served as director of Mid-Continent Public Library from January 1981 until November 1998. He was named "Librarian of the Year" by the Library Journal in 1992.
Technology began transforming Mid-Continent in the late 1980s. The first enormous change - ditching the beloved card catalog and switching to a computerized catalog system.
MCPL started out as a collection of little storefront libraries. In the early days, the system leased space to keep overhead low. By the 1980s, MCPL leaders decided it was imperative for the system to build its own free-standing buildings in order to enhance library service.
In September 1968 the Carnegie Library of Excelsior Springs merged with the Clay County Public Library District, thus becoming a part of MCPL. The current Excelsior Springs Branch opened in 1986. There has been a library in the town since the 1890s. For 57 years, it was a Carnegie Library on Broadway.
There has been a Buckner Branch since 1962. Since that date, the branch has expanded twice to meet the needs of a growing community. The number of customers is steadily increasing; last year 45,461 visited the branch.
The current Red Bridge Branch opened in 1987. Last year, 220,882 patrons visited the branch.
The current Edgerton Branch opened in 1987. The branch has been located in six different buildings including an old bank and a newspaper office. Last year, 32,681 patrons visited the branch.
The Blue Springs South Branch was the first Mid-Continent Public Library in Blue Springs. However, there has been a library in the town since 1947. From those beginnings, this branch has grown with 220,709 patrons visiting each year.
The current Antioch Branch opened in 1988. Previous homes of the Antioch Branch included a bookmobile, a basement, and a bowling alley. Last year, 251,141 patrons visited the branch.
The current MCPL logo was designed in 1988 when MCPL held a logo design contest. The prize was a VCR.
The current Grandview Branch opened in 1988. The original branch opened in Grandview High School in 1947. Last year 201,134 patrons visited the branch.
The Camden Point Branch opened in 1989. Previous homes of the branch included a Masonic Temple and a former hardware store. Last year, 19,716 patrons visited the branch.
The current Dearborn Branch opened in 1989. Previous homes of the Dearborn Branch included a corner store and a bank building. Last year, 35,604 patrons visited the branch.
The current North Oak Branch opened in 1990. The first North Oak Branch was opened in the First National Bank in 1966. Last year, 216,844 patrons visited the branch.
Oak Grove Branch opened its current doors in 1990. This branch began in 1956 in a shopping center in downtown Oak Grove and also occupied a school auditorium. Around 104,915 customers visited the branch last year.
The current Raytown Branch opened in 1990 and is officially named the "Joe Herndon Branch." Last year, 222,317 patrons visited the branch.
The current Lee's Summit Branch opened in 1991. It is about 12 times larger than first library, which was located on the second floor of city hall. Last year, 206,879 patrons visited the branch.
South Independence Branch began in May 1973. By 1991, more space was needed and the new branch building was acquired on 35th Street. Last year, 269,654 patrons visited the branch.
The Blue Ridge Branch opened in 1991. Previous homes of the Blue Ridge Branch included an elementary and high school and two shopping centers. Last year, over 207,000 patrons visited the branch.
The Frank Hughes Memorial Library of Liberty merged with Mid-Continent Public Library in December 1981. The library system was now composed of 24 branch libraries in three counties. The current Liberty Branch opened in 1992. Before joining the MCPL system, Liberty's library was called the Frank Hughes Library. It opened in 1939.
The current Riverside Branch opened in 1991. Last year, 113,035 patrons visited the branch.
The current Parkville Branch opened in 1992. Before becoming the Parkville Branch, this library was the Platte Woods Branch. It originally opened in 1961. Last year, 197,591 patrons visited the library.
The Colbern Road Branch opened in 1992 when Lee's Summit grew too quickly for the Lee's Summit Branch to keep up. Now they are both very busy! Last year, 249,065 patrons visited the branch.
The Blue Springs North Branch opened in 1993 when the original Blue Springs Branch could not serve all customers. Since then, this branch has grown and roughly serves 178,488 customers each year.
MCPL installed its first computers for customers to access the online catalog.
MCPL got its first dedicated internet connection. It was a T1 (1.5 Megabits).
The Boardwalk Branch opened in 1994. Located near I-29 and Barry Road, this branch is in one of the fastest growing parts of the metro area. Last year, 244,391 patrons visited the branch.
Steve Potter, then the manager of the Blue Springs South Branch, wrote an article for the Examiner regarding customers' new ability to access the online catalog from home.
The current Weston Branch opened in 1995. Previous homes of the Weston Branch included a museum and a church.
The current Claycomo Branch opened in 1995. It was the first MCPL branch to feature a computer catalog when it opened. Last year, 91,713 patrons visited the branch.
The MCPL website was launched on December 1, 1995. It was one of the first public library websites in the state of Missouri.
The current Lone Jack Branch opened in 1998. The library's first location was in a trailer that didn't even have a restroom. Last year, 53,694 patrons visited the branch.
The current Kearney Branch opened in 1998. A library has been in Kearney since 1966, and in all that time there have been only three branch managers. Last year, 155,500 patrons visited the branch.
Paul White served a director of the Mid-Continent Public Library for nearly eight years from 1998 until 2006. He was recognized for his service to MCPL by the Missouri House of Representatives in 2006.
In 2001, WorldCat was added to the online databases. WorldCat allows customers to see which other libraries hold titles and then permits the customer to place a request for an inter-library loan.
MCPL started offering free WiFi service in our branches.
Richard Wilding served as Director of Mid-Continent Public Library from 2006 until his retirement in 2010.
The current Platte City Branch opened in 2006. There were five previous locations for the library. The first one burned down in 1975! Last year, 77,214 patrons visited the branch.
A new library service, Library-To-Go, was introduced in 2008 and 2009. The first two Library-To-Go locations were established at the Hillcrest and Marlborough Community Centers in partnership with the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department. Each facility offers public internet access through the library, an automated system that allows patrons to pick up reserved materials, return checked out materials, and a browsing DVD collection available for check out.
The Midwest Genealogy Center is the largest free-standing public genealogy library in the United States. Opening in June 2008, this branch has 52,000 square feet of resources for family historians, researchers, and genealogists.
The current Smithville Branch opened in 2009. Last year, 94,475 patrons visited the branch.
A new MCPL website was unveiled in 2010 at mymcpl.org. The site featured a more visual interface including branch created content, the ability to register for reading programs online, and a public forum for library ideals.
Steve Potter currently serves as the Mid-Continent Public Library Director and CEO. He started in August 2010.
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