2019-06-27

2019-2020 Focus on Oak Grove City Guide Page 40 Library Mid-Continent Public Library Mid-Continent Public Library, Oak Grove, is located at 2320 S. Broadway. Phone number is 690-3213. Oak Grove’s public library, located at 2320 S. Broadway, is a branch of the Mid-Continent Public Libraries. Established in 1965, Mid-Continent is the largest library system in the state of Missouri and one of the finest library systems in the nation. Headquartered in Independence, the system includes 31 branches and four Library-To-Go locations throughout Clay, Jackson and Platte counties. Using interlibrary loan services, this network greatly increases availability of materials to Oak Grove library patrons. Amy Vajnar manages the Oak Grove Branch. The Oak Grove Branch was one of the first branches to be renovated after Proposition L passed in 2016, allowing for $113.2 million in improvements throughout the system. The renovations allowed for a larger enclosed community room for programming as well as improvements in fixtures, carpeting, computers and improved Wi-Fi coverage. The library has extended branch hours to Monday- Thursday from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. MCPL also offers a mobile-friendly website. Mid-Continent Public Library is the largest library system in the Kansas City metropolitan area serving nearly 800,000 patrons. The library offers materials and services free to the public. The Oak Grove collection contains approximately 50,000 items at any one time. Current DVD movies, best-selling books, and magazines are available for checkout. For the reading-impaired, the library offers large-print books and audio books. Numerous resources are available online at www.mymcpl. org, including downloadable eBooks, audiobooks and music, streaming videos, research databases, online tutoring and homework help. The full library catalog of more than 2 million books and resources is available to all library users through an elaborate communication system and daily delivery service. The Midwest Genealogy Center and local history branch, also nationally recognized, is available for research. The Oak Grove Branch also is able to offer a number of programs through the Mid-Continent system for adults, youth and children. Some of Oak Grove’s regular programs include a stitcher’s craft group which meets at 2 p.m., the fourth Tuesdays of the month; kids (ages 5-11) at the library, which meets at 6:30 p.m. 1st & 3rd Thursdays; teens at the library which meets at 6:30 p.m. on 2nd Thursday of the month, book club for adults, which meets at 7 p.m. the 3rd Monday of the month; and tech Fridays at 10 p.m. on the 2nd Friday of each month. Story time for families is at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The summer reading program “A Universe of Stories” runs May 20-July 31 and includes kids of all ages. A winter program for adults runs from January 15-March 15 each year. Both programs offer prizes and incentives. MCPL encourages reading with the 1,000 books before kindergarten program. Information regarding programs can be obtained on the website. The Branch may also be reached at 816-690-3213. MCPL publishes a quarterly brochure, Beyond the Books, which lists upcoming programs. Mid-Continent Public Library offers a variety of programs to involve patrons of all ages and interests.