Public libraries are amazing, and this is a particularly wonderful branch of our own JCL system…read more The ease of holding books/DVDs (and as long as you avoid placing a hold right before/during the weekend, JCL is really impressive at transferring items from branch to branch promptly) and checking out/returning items (with the self-service checkout stations and automated return slots) makes borrowing library content a delightful, hassle-free experience. The JCL system's catalog is pretty expansive too. It's also just a nice, relaxing place to study/read when you need to kill a couple hours or get out of the house for some reason (and unlike with coffee shops, you don't have to buy anything to justify your presence there). I really can't sing JCL/Leawood Pioneer's praises highly enough.

I had never tried this particular library out before so I decided to bring my grandson and try out…read morethe children's area. I was disappointed as the smaller children's area was quite small in comparison to other libraries. They did have some nice toddler board books and the children's area in general had the normal amount of books that the other libraries typically have. The teen area is in the youth/kids area. As you enter the library, it's to the right in a separate room. I think what I find disappointing is that I have visited almost all of the libraries in Johnson County except two, which I plan to visit soon. And I find that the children's librarians tend not to be very friendly. They're usually sitting behind their desk often with a scowl on their face or hiding their face and really never offer any help. If they're approached, they seem irritated. The 95th St. library in Overland Park tends to be the better and more welcoming library for children. The adult section was typical of an adult section. So I would say this library is fine for adults or probably teens that want to study as they have steady areas, but there are better libraries for smaller children.

The Johnson County Library system is great and this location is massive. We recently visited with…read moreour five year old and she loved the kids area. It's filled with kid sized shelves, tons of picture books, chapter books, and kids DVDs. The librarian was so kind and got her all set up with her own library card, we checked out her items, and she's been loving exploring all of her recent finds.

I visited the central library today with my grandson and mostly in the children's area. Because…read morethis library is the central library it has a great variety of books and resources. My grandson who is currently 14 months enjoyed the activity center on the wall. I went through the collection of board books for toddlers and selected some to check out for him. The library was clean and quiet and has many excellent resources. I do wish they would have a more balanced approach to their selection of materials though.,

This is a good neighborhood library for the surrounding Waldo community. A little smaller than…read moreother branches, it still manages to supply a variety of books, digital media, board games, and other resources. Amenities include play toys in the children's area, rooms for group use, and even an enclosed booth for one-on-one private meetings. Materials from other branches can be sent here for pick-up.

The staff are not friendly. People are allowed to eat chips and dip at the computer or have open…read moredrinks when there is a notice that 'no food or open containers" are allowed. The staff says absolutely nothing. People are loud talking on their cell phones with no repercussions.

A library that's not just where books live!…read more Me .. had a meeting and did a little bit of work. If you can't find a quiet or somewhat quiet coffee shop.. there's always a meeting room here, and complimentary WiFi without a library card no less. Functional, spacious, convenient and clean!

This is really a hidden gem, just a couple blocks from the plaza. It's spacious, very…read morewell-maintained and even have their own parking garage. The staff was incredibly helpful and they have rooms that you can rent for work or personal events. And never thought I'd say that the views were great from a library, but they are. Parking on the street isn't too bad if you can't find anything in the lot. I'm just so excited that there's still libraries and that they have good selections and comfortable places that you can purview books.

A smaller library that is bright and welcoming. It was recently remodeled. Many areas to sit and…read morestudy with lots of natural light.

Great library! The employees are all very nice and helpful and it's nice and quiet - easy to get…read morework done and concentrate.

I brought my 18 m old grandson to this library to check out the kids section. I haven't been to…read morethis location in many years. It's an older library but homey and I actually like their children's section better than all the updated libraries! It has a nice array of learning areas and toys. It is peaceful and has a good selection of books. He really enjoyed trying out all the various learning areas. I wish the newer libraries would keep this in mind and have more to offer.

Really sweet small library. Great kids section! Always very clean and library employees are helpful.read more

Such a lovely library! On the small side, but they've got everything anyone could need, and they'll…read moreorder in anything you need that they don't have on hand. It is very intuitively laid out, super clean, wonderfully decorated, with a very welcoming staff. Lots of places to sit and read or use your laptop. I love how the Red Bridge area of KC has really been revitalized over the past few years!

I love this location. The staff is always helpful and this branch is always clean. Deducting a star…read moreonly because my desire to read more urban books is growing but apparently so is everyone else's. I always have to put a hold on the book which is no problem but, they allow you two weeks to read the book and if some else requests a hold then you can't renew it and have to eat the fees until you finish the book. It's definitely a 3rd world problem that I will continue to deal with but a courtesy for 2-3 renewals should be standard.

Linda Hall Library's community open house today has been a wonderful way to spend a blue sky sunny…read moreday! It's all free, including tacos from Taco Cacao. The day started at 9 AM with a bird hike around the Arboretum with a guide from Burroughs Audubon Society. And there have been outdoor programs from the Anita B Gorman conservation center, another all about bugs that included a hike around the grounds, and one from the Swope Park nature Center. Mow they're showing the movie the Lorax inside and there's still more going on outside. Even when there's not a special event going on, of which there are many all the time, you can find them online. They're well worth signing up for, usually free, with interesting subject matter from astronauts and outer space to well-known speakers, and small concerts on the lawn. It is a fascinating place with beautiful grounds on the UMKC campus.

What a fantastic library!…read more I've been wanting to come to the Life Beyond Earth exhibition since it opened in October 2024. I got here near the end of April in 2025. It closes in June. Glad I made it! This exhibition does a great job of covering a lot about outer space, including, but not limited to, aliens, exoplanets, UFOs, astrobiology and exobiology. There are various displays throughout the rooms covering astronomy, the history of observation of space from the Renaissance, all the way up to the Tic Tac and Gimble UAPs. There's also a very nice display about historical cookbooks and different recipes used early in the 20th century and by various branches of the US military to feed their troops. Everyone working here was very kind and welcoming. There is free parking directly in front of the library for patrons, not for students. Just FYI, the Linda Hall Library is on the campus of UMKC.

I've decided to update my review. I've use this library a couple of more times to check out some…read morebooks for my grandkids. I will not be going back. The whole atmosphere of this library is not friendly. I walked in the other day with a big load of books to return and two children and politely asked the customer desk person where to return the books. He said in a snarky voice, "Where it says Returns all the way in the back!" His attitude is not called for, especially while working the customer service desk. People are going to ask questions and in fact quite a few people after me asked where to bring their returns. Even though the library is newer/more modern, they do not have a good welcoming atmosphere and I noticed there doesn't seem to be that many people there every time I've gone.

very nice recently built library part of a bigger library system with many great resources…read more centrally located in merriam plaza with a drive thru book drop. there is a parking garage as part of the complex, with a path from there to the front door. nestled in the hillside it might be hard to spot at first but it is a hidden jewel of the community i think. can place any books on hold and pick them up here, as well as use library services such as free wifi and conference rooms. they have a children's area with nice colorful furniture and books to help encourage youth literacy! self-checkout machines are available to use by the entrance