Woodneath Library Center 4.77

Mid-Continent Public Library is building a new library in the Shoal Creek area of Kansas City. Near Liberty, the Shoal Creek area is one of the fastest growing places in the MCPL service area. In fact, the Liberty Branch has recently become the busiest branch in the entire MCPL system.

Anticipating this growth, MCPL purchased a 30-acre Antebellum farm on Flintlock Road in 2008. The Library believes the property provides an opportunity to combine a commitment to history with a desire to see growth in the future of the northland.

MCPL has contracted with Sapp Design Associates (SDA) to create a library that incorporates the 1850's home with a 21st century library. SDA has experience balancing historical interests and modern needs, and have created a solution for Woodneath that does just that. The plan includes the use of the Greek Revival home as meeting space and the adjoining library as a place to serve the needs of a contemporary library user. The Kansas City Landmarks Commission has been involved in the planning process to ensure the historic character of the property is preserved in a way that meets the Commission's standards.

The new library at Woodneath will be the most advanced in the MCPL system. New technology will be integrated into the building, and public space will be a focus of the library. MCPL also intends to build the library to LEED specifications.