The Kirkwood Public Library inspires a lifelong commitment to learning and creativity, for a more informed and connected community. ~ Our Mission Statement

Discover More at KPL

August 2024

Your Source for Entertainment!


Back to School Time

This time of year can be exciting and stressful, scary and thrilling, no matter what your age - whether you are headed to kindergarten, starting middle school, preparing to graduate high school or are a parent looking forward to some peace and quiet.


Whether you are counting down the days until school starts or already thinking of excuses to get out of homework you’ll find the perfect book here!

The Adventure Ends Soon!


You heard that right, Summer Reading at the Kirkwood Public Library will soon be over. The final day will be Monday, August 12, 2024. After that date, you will still be able to pick up any prizes you’ve won but haven’t already picked up. You will not be able to log any more minutes, however, so make sure you do by the final day!


Here’s a list of the awesome prizes you can receive:

  • Raffle tickets for a chance to win several special prizes!
  • Coupons for local restaurants and stores like Tropical Moose, Great Harvest, and Britt’s Bakehouse!
  • A Dougherty Orthodontics fidget spinner!
  • A Junction Orthodontics Stylus (it’s a stylus, a pen, and a highlighter, all in one)!
  • A color changing cup!
  • Your name appearing in the Webster Kirkwood Times!
  • And lastly, those who’ve read for 100 hours will have their names appear on our 100 Hour Readers Wall of Fame, and receive a coupon for a 3-D Print!


Last Call for Pavers


The pavers have been installed! We will have them engraved in September so this is your last chance to be in the first group of pavers in the new Library Garden! After the initial pavers are completed we will continue to take donations and will engrave new pavers twice a year, in the spring and in the fall.  The project is still on track to wrap up this month. The Library’s front doors remain accessible via the ramp on the west side of the property and all normal services continue uninterrupted.  Once completed the front yard will be a more user-friendly space, with places to sit, read and enjoy regional flowering plants. The library will also be able to expand beyond its walls to provide entertainment and programming outside. Special thanks go to Riggs Construction and The Constant Gardener landscaping for their hard work the last few years in planning for the space.

Library of Things Spotlight:

Computer Accessories


The Kirkwood Public Library has many items you can borrow from books to movies, magazines to music. We also loan out a variety of non-traditional library items. We refer to these items as the Library of Things. Each month, we will be highlighting parts of this collection.


Featured in August is our collection of Computer Accessories. Find an old 3.5-inch floppy disk at home? Use our USB Floppy Disk Reader. Have an important Zoom meeting? Check out our HD Webcam. Maybe your an aspiring graphic designer. Try out a digital Drawing Tablet. For these and other computer related items, look no further than your library!


Here are some of the items in our Computer Accessories collection:


  • Large Document Camera (scanner)
  • Projectors with and without Screens
  • Tripod
  • Blue Yeti Microphone
  • Noise Cancelling Headphones
  • Wacom Intuos Drawing Tablet
  • Digital Microscope
  • External DVD/CD Drive
  • External 3.5" Floppy Disk Drive
  • HD Webcam
  • Various Adapters


View our entire Computer Accessories and Adapter collections here. View our entire Library of Things collection here. And while our selection is not comprehensive, we welcome suggestions for new additions to the collection. You can use the contact forms on our website to make a suggestion to the Technology dept.

How to Start a Book Club People Will Want to Join


So you want to start a book club … 


Congratulations! Books are a great way to create community and build relationships. Talking about stories prompts people to share their own experiences and reflections. But how do you keep your book club a book club, and not a wine club or a gossip club or a venting club? Here are a few suggestions: 


  • Invite readers
  • Set ground rules
  • Choose multiple books in advance
  • Check your library for book club kits
  • Allow for community
  • Be consistent


Library Closings


Your Kirkwood Public Library will be closed on Sunday, September 1st and Monday, September 2nd in honor of Labor Day.


Our online catalog is available 24/7. eBooks, audiobooks, music and movies are always available for checkout through

Libby, Hoopla and Kanopy.

Pardon Our Dust


Our front yard is under construction to transform it into an outside garden. We will remain fully open the entire construction process. At this time, entrance to the library is only via our ramp off of Jefferson Ave. And if you haven’t yet purchased a paver there is still time!


During this time, we ask for your patience in order that we may continue providing the best library service to you!

KPL Podcast


Check out the KPL Podcast. New episodes released every Friday.

Books & Beyond


The Shop is extending a special invitation to children to pay a visit this summer. They will find exciting, new merchandise just for them. Many are travel size such as the desktop golf, mini puzzles and flip books. Enticing books are always on display, both new and gently used at competitive prices.


Below is just one example of a military card available to anyone making a purchase. Remember your friends or relatives serving our country with a handmade card donated by a library patron’s friend.

Story Walk


Finding a safe, fun and educational activity that your whole family will enjoy may feel like a task. Leave it to the library, we've got the perfect idea!


Head over to Kirkwood Park to take a walk around Walker Lake where you can follow our Story Walk. A librarian has handpicked the book that you follow page by page around the lake until you've enjoyed a whole story and some exercise. Look for this story in August: First Night of Howlergarten by Benson Shum.


And be sure to check out our new Story Walk in the front lawn of the Kirkwood YMCA. Look for this story in August: The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach.

Thank You Donors!


For their generous gifts to the Library.


See a list of our Contributors.

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