PUBLIC LIBRARY

LEAVENWORTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
417 Spruce
Leavenworth, KS 66048
V-Mail: 913-682-5666

Hours
Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday (Sept.-May) 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Library Story
Registration
Borrowing Materials
Overdue Charges
Books
Magazines and Newspapers
Vertical File
Videocassettes
Reference
Kansas Room
Homebound Service
Programs For Children
Dial-Up Catalog/Community Information Data Base
Other Services
Patrons of the Leavenworth Library Foundation

The Library Story

From this:
In 1899 the City of Leavenworth voted a tax levy for a library. Women's clubs accumulated funds and petitioned Andrew Carnegie for a construction grant. The building was opened in May of 1907, the first Carnegie Library in Kansas.

To this:
Once again, headed by a citizen's group, a bond issue was passed on December 4, 1984, in the amount of $2,500,000.00, "to construct, furnish and equip a new public library". Construction began in December, 1985.

The building has a total space of 25,000 square feet, an auditorium planned for exhibits and meetings with a seating capacity of 100, ample parking space, and book capacity of 100,000 volumes.

Registration

All residents of this community, the area served by the NEKL system and nearby Missouri, may receive library card. There is an out-of-state fee of $6.00 per year. Our completed application and identification including a picture and current address will give you access to all library services. Youth under 18 must have a parental signature and identification. There is a $3.00 replacement fee. An optional keychain card is available for $1.00.

Borrowing Materials

Books, audio tapes, magazines, and vertical file items check out for 14 days. Video tapes check out for 3 days. Materials may be renewed by phone on or before the due date.

Overdue Charges

Borrowers assume responsibility for materials checked out on their card. Overdue charges on all books, audio cassettes, magazines, and vertical file items are $0.10 a day per item. Books and audio cassettes carry a maximum fine of $5.00 each. Video charges are $2.00 per day. The maximum on videos and magazines are the cost of the item. Patrons are assessed the cost of the item plus a $5.00 service fee for any item lost or damaged. To better serve the public, we do employ a collection agency to retrieve overdue items; the cost of that service is added to the overdue patron's record.

Books

Over 100,000 books are available to you. An effort is made to suit the needs of our community. All fiction materials are arranged alphabetically by author's last name. Large print is located at the rear of that area.

Magazines and Newspapers

The Leavenworth Public Library subscribes to over 200 nationally known periodicals. These include children's, business, technical, scientific and general news magazines. The current copy of each magazine is kept in the reading room. All other issues are kept behind the circulation desk, and are available for checkout for 2 weeks with a limit of 6 items. 15 newspapers are received by the Library, including local and state papers. The Leavenworth Times is available on microfilm from 1859 and is in the process of being indexed by library volunteers.

Vertical File

A valuable supplement to our reference department is the Vertical File, stored in the metal file cabinets south of the circulation desk. The files, alphabetically arranged, contain a collection of pamphlets, newspaper articles, maps and other non-book information on current topics. A limit of 6 items may be checked out for 2 weeks.

Videocassettes

The Library has videocassettes which include classic films for adults and children, travel, how-to, history, sports, literature, art and music. They are available on a 3 day loan with a limit of 2 tapes per household.

Reference

A wide variety of information is available to you by telephone or a visit with our reference staff. A state-wide computer network allows us to tap into outside sources as well. Of special interest to many of our users is a collection of auto-repair manuals, Kansas codes, college catalogs and consumer information. Also available at the CD ROM reference center are Business Directories, U.S. codes, medical information, and career guidance.

Kansas Room

The Kansas Room houses a fine collection of written and photographic information on local and Kansas history. Leavenworth City Directories date from 1859 to the current year. Kansas census records of Leavenworth Co. for 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925, and Federal census records of Leavenworth Co. include 1860 territorial census, 1870, 1880, 1900, and 1910 are available (the indexes for these are at the Kansas Historical Society in Topeka). Some local cemetery listings and basic genealogy books are also located here. The latest additions are the 149 Leavenworth County microfilm records that include deeds, naturalizations, divorces, marriages, school records, military discharges and probate records.

Homebound Service

For those people who are unable to come to the library due to physical disabilities, "BOOKS ON WHEELS" will bring books to your home. Volunteers also visit nursing homes and retirement centers once every two weeks to deliver books.

Programs For Children

Youth Services provides information resources for young people from birth through eighth grade.

"Stories At the Corner," storyline for children ages 3-6 are held weekly and require pre-enrollment. Sign-up dates are announced by flyers, and in the newspaper. Call for specific dates and times.

A Summer Reading Program, co-sponsored by RIF (Reading is Fundamental) and the Library and supported by local business and civic organizations, is offered each year during the summer months. All children ages 3-16 are eligible to participate in the program which encourages reading for pleasure by rewarding them with free paperback books to keep. Sign-up begins each year in late May. Club R.I.F. is a special program for middle school students.

Leavenworth Public Library has a parent-child learning center, "Kid's Corner," where parents and their pre-schoolers can share time, learning activities and books. The room is equipped with educational activities, games, and books designed and selected to stimulate development of reading readiness, math concepts and other learning skills. Parents are encouraged to work with their small children and supervision is required. "Kid's Corner" is open by request whenever Youth Services Staff is on duty.

All programs for the pre-school age child are designed to include both parent and child, based on the belief that the parents are the child's first and most important teachers. "Reading Together" is for parents to read aloud to their young children and the children earn books and other awards. This is an ongoing program.

"After School Specials" are offered each month. Various programs appropriate to the elementary school age child, are offered. These include crafts, seasonal programs, speakers, videos, demonstrations, etc.

"Seek Info 1 & 2" provide CD-ROM resources appropriate for grades four and up. These resources assist students doing research for reports.

Dial-Up Catalog / Community Information Data Base

If you have your own computer and modem you may search these library data vases at home or work by calling 682-2484. Log-on with: Hello Public.Library. For more specific information ask for one of our brochures.

Other Services

  • Interlibrary Loan Books and magazine articles that we do not own are available from other Kansas libraries.
  • Phone Renewal: Renew books, magazines, and audio cassettes once by phone on or before the due date.
  • Meeting room available for non-profit community organization.
  • Magnifiers, large print books, and books on cassettes for the visually handicapped.
  • Photocopier available for your use at a charge of 15 cents per page.
  • Typewriter available on a first come first serve basis, one dollar fee for use and please bring your own paper.

  • For more information on these and other library services, call us at:
    913-682-5666, fax 682-1248

    PARKS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

    LEAVENWORTH PARKS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES DEPARTMENT

    Office Location:
    Riverfront Community Center
    123 S. Esplenade (Lower Level)
    Leavenworth, KS 66048
    V-Mail: 913-651-2203
    Fax: 913-651-2160
    Administrative Office Hours:
    Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    COMMUNITY THEATRE

    RIVER CITY COMMUNITY PLAYERS

    The River City Community Players were established in 1976 and since has been presenting 4-5 productions a year. The group is under the auspice of the Parks & Community Activities Department and is governed by theatre enthusiasts form Leavenworth, Lansing and Fort Leavenworth.

    The RCCP prides it's self as being a true community group encouraging new people all the time and always having open auditions. Experience is not needed to get involved but it may effect what type of technical position you may get in a show, yet talent will always be the main judge for roles. The group as a whole sets it's goals to produce professional quality productions in a community setting. Mid way into the 20th anniversary season the RCCP has three productions left. "No Sex Please We're British" will perform in June, the 4th annual One Act Festival in July, a special evening of Broadway music taken form the shows of the past 20 years is slated for August and to end the main production season "Fiddler on the Roof " will audition in August and open in October. As tradition there will be a Christmas show in the beginning of December composed of children from the community and students of a local dance studio. Ticket prices for the main productions are $6.00 for adults & $3.50 for children.

    Play selections for the next season will be made in June and directors will be selected within three months after that.

    For more information on the RCCP you can call Eric Van Horn, Publicity Director, at (913) 651-3566 in the day or (913) 682-3002 at night or send e-mail to him at [email protected].


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