Kansas City Public Library Brings Summer Reading to City Parks

Kansas City Public Library Brings Summer Reading to City Parks

In an effort to bring continued summer learning to more families, the Kansas City Public Library is partnering with Kansas City Parks and Recreation for “Pop In at the Park” starting the week of June 8. This is part of the Library’s continued effort to reach our community while our physical locations remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Library staff will be at pop up booths Tuesdays through Fridays, from 10 a.m. until Noon, in different parks throughout the city to help sign people up for the Summer Reading Program    .

This year’s Summer Reading Program invites readers of all ages to experience the power of storytelling. Read any five books by July 31, 2020, log them, and earn a reward. Pop In at the Park will offer no-contact assistance to sign up for the program and log any books read throughout the summer.

According to Crystal Faris, director of youth & family engagement, with the library providing limited services in the our buildings, we need to seek new opportunities for families to learn about the Summer Reading Program. “We’re excited to connect with the community and encourage reading for fun and continued learning this summer thanks to this partnership,” says Faris.

Later this month, Take-and-Make kits will also be available for anyone who needs them, with the supplies needed for the Summer Reading Program’s virtual activities.

“We are excited for this partnership, to bring books and fun into KC Parks.  We have amazing parks throughout the City, with great open space.  We look forward to working with the Kansas City Public Library,” says Terry Rynard, KC Parks Director

Pop In at the Park will be scheduled as follows:

Every Tuesday: Swope Park
Every Wednesday: Concourse Park
Every Friday: Blue Valley Park
Thursdays will rotate between different parks in the area:
June 11: Gillham Park
June 18: Spring Valley Park
June 25: Budd Park
July 2: Lykins Park
July 9: Theis Park
July 16: Seven Oaks Park
July 23: Sanford Brown Plaza
July 30: Roanoke Park
August 6: McCoy Park