LEAVENWORTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
417 Spruce St.
Leavenworth, KS 66048
Phone: 913-682-5666
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.
All residents of Kansas and neighboring states are welcome to apply forlibrary cards. There is no fee for Leavenworth or Fort Leavenworth residents. As of january 1, 1997, those who reside outside the Leavenworth city limits will be asked topurchase a one-year card for $15.00. Out of state patrons will be assessed a $21.00 fee for each year. There is a $3.00 replacement fee for any lost cards. Our completed application and identification, including a picture and current address, will give you access to all library services. Youth under 18 must be accompanied by a parent who will fill out the application and show proper identification.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 3 tapes per household.
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 automobile repair manuals, Kansas codes, college catalogs and consumer information. Also available at the CD ROM reference center are Business Directories, U.S. codes, and Ebsco magazine index. Internet access is also available to patrons over the age of 13 with a valid library card.
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.
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.
Youth Services provides information resources for young people from birth through eighth grade.Dial-Up Catalog / Community Information Data Base"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.
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.
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. Word Processing computer (Word Perfect) available on a first come first serve basis. Printing charges include first 4 pages free, $.10 each additional page.
