Why Kansas’s Public Libraries Are So Much Better Than Your Local Bookstore

If you’re interested in finding a captivating read, be sure to explore these seven libraries in Kansas for a wide selection of books. From popular bestsellers to hidden gems just waiting to be discovered, each library offers an exciting range of literature options.

Ranking the 15 Best Public Libraries in Kansas

The Kansas City Public Library: Central Library

• Address: 14 W 10th St, Kansas City, MO 64105, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (295)
• Phone: +1 816-701-3400
• Website: Link
• Opening hours:
  Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

  Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

  Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 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 – 5:00 PM
• Reviews:
  This library has SO MUCH to appreciate! The parking garage steps are books, and the garage walls are book spines! There’s a vault in the basement where movies “in the vault” are kept. Then, upstairs there’s the coolest children’s area! The entrance to the children’s area makes it look like you’re walking IN TO a book!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Laura Bain (a year ago)

  So much history, a beautiful building with such an interesting downstairs! This used to be a bank and there are still original fixtures from those days including a vault they’ve converted into a small movie theater! Very cool. Very populated with homeless people though and some scary individuals hanging out in the bathrooms

  ✭✭✭✭ By Delaney Lange (a month ago)

  The Library is an amazing place to see and visit.
  All your questions answered. Full use of computers.
  Great kids and teen area.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Jana Barbour (11 months ago)

  This library was AMAZING!! From the time we walked in we were greeted and asked if it was our first time there (it was). They explained the different levels from the roof top all the way down to the vault (it used to be an old bank). We had several interactions with the staff and all of them were extremely friendly.

  If you have children, you MUST take them here. The children’s area is wonderfully constructed. It looks like you are walking into a book and it opens up into an amazing reading area!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By adam weber (5 months ago)

  Really beautiful library that used to originally be a bank. They have a movie theater were the bank Vault used to be , and they have a nice rooftop!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By NotTheAverageGamerz (a year ago)

Olathe Indian Creek Library

• Address: 16100 W 135th St, Olathe, KS 66062, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (281)
• Phone: +1 913-971-6835
• Website: Link
• Opening hours:
  Monday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM

  Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM

  Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM

  Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM

  Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM
• Reviews:
  This library is not the best for quiet study time. However, it is great for kids. The staffs who do story time is amazing. 👍

  we drive past several Johnson county libraries to come to this one. Kids love the playground, bubble wall, fireplace and children’s area here.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By ling ful (3 months ago)

  We did the park next to the library. It was solar car chargers with plenty of parking, really new equipment and people were nice. It’s just popular but watch out for abandoned masks and trash. Usually busy weekends close to dinner time.

  ✭✭✭✭ By Stephanie Bonnie (7 months ago)

  Absolutely gorgeous building. Love the layout and how modern, yet comfortable it is.
  Tons of rooms for meetings, classes, music, or study. Many computers to use and even a few specifically for teens to use for gaming.
  I asked for help at the desk and was greeted by a very kind young woman named Leilani. She answered all questions and requests I had right away. She even got up and showed me a section for books I might want to find. She’s a fabulous addition to the library and I want to shout out how great she is!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Alyson O’Sullivan (5 months ago)

  This is a beautiful library and a huge improvement over the previous Indian Creek location. They have a lot of resources to take advantage of, plenty of space, and the kids section is wonderful! Although they are growing too old for it now, my kids loved the light board activity in the young children’s section. The checkout kiosks are so quick and easy to use. I haven’t taken advantage of the more adult selection very much so I can’t speak to it, but it’s a great place to take my kids for sure.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Rachel Jones (6 months ago)

  If I could live here I would. (Husband and baby might object…)

  Seriously. Hands down one of the best libraries I’ve ever been to. Can’t say enough good about the space and the staff. They have all gone above and beyond to find me books and materials when I needed them for work, and just the atmosphere they cultivate is one of warmth and welcome.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Meredith Lindsey (5 months ago)

Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

• Address: 1515 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (278)
• Phone: +1 785-580-4400
• Website: Link
• Opening hours:
  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 – 9:00 PM

  Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

  Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Sunday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM
• Reviews:
  The TPL is one of my favorite places to go with my kids. It free, the staff are friendly. My kids have a wonderful time. Very organized and easy to find things. Very large selection of book, movies, audiobooks, and more.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Angelica Baldwin (5 months ago)

  Lately the Lawrence library seems to be catering to certain groups and topics. So we chose to switch to Topeka and we’re extremely glad that we did. There are a lot more books and movies to choose from so each visit is a treasure hunt. The children’s librarians are amazing and go out of there way to help. On our last visit my daughter was looking for some books and the librarian couldn’t find them. After looking in other parts of the library the librarian still couldn’t find them. Instead she found books on the same topics for her to enjoy until the others were found. It’s not just the kids staff it’s the whole library staff that is amazing.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By M.K. (2 months ago)

  Great place! I was waiting on family at the nearby hospital. This was a great place to hang out. There is a Cafe and store. The art exhibit is always changing. Mask are required and some spaces have limited the amount of people allowed. Many private areas to use by yourself or with a few people. I added a photo of something I have never seen before, baking ware to check out! Need a character shaped pan for 1 party? You don’t have to buy it, borrow it! Love this idea. Thanks for having a calming place to relax during a stressful time.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By wanda kelley (a year ago)

  If I could give minus 10 stars I would! They allow their security and police presence to abuse their rights and mistreat the public. Only go to this library if you want to feel unsafe as well as you could be mistreated by the security at this establishment! DO NOT GO BECAUSE THIS PLACE COULD CARELESS ABOUT YOUR TREATMENT!!

  ✭ By Daniel Thompson (3 months ago)

  Wonderful place to go! I enjoy all the art, selection of books and the rich Topeka history information.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Debbie Horton (4 months ago)

Kansas City Public Library: Plaza Branch

• Address: 4801 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64112, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.5 (218)
• Phone: +1 816-701-3481
• Website: Link
• Opening hours:
  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 – 9:00 PM

  Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

  Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Reviews:
  This is actually the nicest branch of them all.

  But I digress.

  It is large, modern, and airy, with lots of glass and a great view. Very nice design, with a nice selection of books. BUT, Security gaurd will tell you you cant have a container/beverage, but won’t tell the person across not to have a conversation on their CELL PHONE? Covid restrictions have improved it.

  It is such a nice location to study and get books from.

  ✭✭✭ By J Williams (a month ago)

  It’s no surprise that the Kansas City Public Library is regarded as one of the best in the country! My only complaint is that it closes early, like 9 p.m. after covid! I hope other library systems across the country follow suit!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Haile Abrha (a month ago)

  It’s a nice public library with very good collection of books for adults and kids. Many kids activities are going on.
  Friendly staff. They took me to the shelf and suggested books for my need .
  Bit noisy .
  Good parking space very close to it.
  Had enough chairs to accommodate 100 +people. Have some meeting rooms as well

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Karthik Kumar (4 years ago)

  This location is the best by far in Kansas City! The little coffee shop is no longer there I side but still the overall appearance and space offered for meet ups can’t be matched.

  ✭✭✭✭ By Sasha Minx (a year ago)

  This branch of KC public libraries is fantastic. They have their own parking garage, plenty of activities for young kids (coloring and puppets and art!) and a huge book selection for them, plus lots of new and current nonfiction books, novels, movies and cds! You can check books out in self-serve kiosks. There is a coffee shop in the front lobby, and chipotle and The Mixx and Yogurtini next door which all have patios where you can grab a book and hang out! It’s very cozy inside too (see pic). If you need to use the family restroom for your kids, ask for the key at the desk in the kids section. They do have free internet!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Matthew Chrisman (4 years ago)

Johnson County Library – Central Resource

• Address: 9875 W 87th St, Overland Park, KS 66212, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (181)
• Phone: +1 913-826-4600
• Website: Link
• Opening hours:
  Monday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

  Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

  Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

  Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

  Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM
• Reviews:
  Amazing library. Huge selection of books, a media room, computer room, makers room and excellent kids area. Kids area has two play areas one has big cushions to build or sit on and a kids bathroom. Great selection of books.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By R G (9 months ago)

  One of the best libraries for Children. The blocks are fun for children.

  The lady does bilingual story time is amazing and so good with kids, full of energy.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By ling ful (3 months ago)

  Our family has had good experiences here. I will say it is often very loud in this branch, I would go to another branch if you’re looking for a quite place. I also have to laugh that all the employees still wear masks. No one wears masks anymore in Kansas, but every employee at the library does.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Randal M (3 months ago)

  nice clean library i will definitely come back, but i don’t think it is hiring.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By OG Dumplings (2 months ago)

  It has been quite some time since I went to a library. And coming here made me wish I had. This library send to be leagues above the ones inside Kansas City Missouri. My only wish I’d that it was closer to where I live so that if have a reason to visit it and try out it’s resources. It has multiple private rooms for whatever your need, ample amounts of tables and computers. I did not guy tour this location, but it appeared to have a children’s location inside as well

  ✭✭✭✭ By Christopher Delance (3 years ago)

Lawrence Public Library

• Address: 707 Vermont St, Lawrence, KS 66044, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (147)

Manhattan Public Library

• Address: 629 Poyntz Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.9 (138)

Johnson County Library – Blue Valley

• Address: 9000 W 151st St, Overland Park, KS 66221, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (121)

Johnson County Library – Antioch

• Address: 8700 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Merriam, KS 66202, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (96)

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library Main Library

• Address: 625 Minnesota Ave, Kansas City, KS 66101, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.4 (88)

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library West Wyandotte Library

• Address: 1737 N 82 St, Kansas City, KS 66112, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (88)

Johnson County Library – Lenexa City Center

• Address: 8778 Penrose Ln, Lenexa, KS 66219, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (74)

Leavenworth Public Library

• Address: 417 Spruce St, Leavenworth, KS 66048, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.5 (71)

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library South Branch Library

• Address: 3104 Strong Ave, Kansas City, KS 66106, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (65)

Johnson County Library – Gardner

• Address: 137 E Shawnee St, Gardner, KS 66030, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (51)

Thank you for reading! If you have any additional information on the best public libraries in Kansas, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!