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

December 2024

Dear Kirkwood Public Library Patron,

We are grateful for all the support from our community and patrons like you.

Our NEW OUTDOOR SPACE is a testament to the generosity of our patrons. PAVERS are still available if you would like to leave a message that will last for many years to come. It is a great holiday, birthday, anniversary, or tribute gift.

Did you know that...

the biggest program we do each year is SUMMER READING?
summer readers keep track of milestones and earn prizes for their participation?
KPL has activities for EVERYONE in our community from babies to adults?
KPL holds CLASSES and hosts PERFORMERS to engage participants?

Will you help us support our SUMMER READING PROGRAM?

A $100 DONATION buys 15 books for kids to add to their personal home library after they reach their reading goal.
A $350 DONATION helps us provide a memorable Wacky Wednesday performer who entertains families with laughs, music, science, and new experiences.

We are grateful for ANY AMOUNT, which will help with craft supplies and our Summer Reading Kick-Off.

Please consider a one-time or recurring donation to the Kirkwood Public Library this year at:

https://kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org/supportyourlibrary

Thank you for your consideration and support.

The Board of Trustees and Staff of Kirkwood Public Library

P.S. Have you visited the new books room yet? Be one of the first to buy a shelf!

Your Source for Entertainment!

In Memoriam 2024

In 2024 we have lost a number of authors, actors, and other creators. Though they may be gone, their legacies will live on.

Most Requested Titles 2024

Take a peek at what your neighbors have requested at the Library this year! These are the items with the most circulations in 2024, and includes books for all ages!

Celebrate the Holidays

Whether you are looking for help with your turkey, want to solve a Christmas mystery or just want to curl up with a holiday romance Kirkwood Public Library has you covered! Our collection of cookbooks covers all the major holidays, our Hot Holiday DVDs contain everything from the classics to new favorites for all ages, and our holiday CD collection covers every genre. Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas will be here before you know it, so be sure to come here first!

Passport Scheduling

Did you know? KPL is a passport processing facility, and that January is our busiest month? You'll need to plan in advance if you're looking to schedule an appointment in January. We won't release the January calendar until mid-December, but just start thinking ahead.

We will be closed for passports due to staff availability December 24th - January 1st.

More info on our website.

New Books and Hot Items Room

The Kirkwood Public Library has been a buzz of change as of late. This year alone we've replaced our HVAC system and put in a beautiful outdoor garden space. Now, we've moved several offices around to make more space for you!

That's right, we now have a new space for housing our collections. Our New Books and Hot Items Room is located in the southeast corner on our main level, just behind the stairwell next to the water fountains.

In this space we have all out New Books, Hot Reads, Board Games and our Library of Things (Hot Tech) items.

Coming soon to the room will be better seating for a more inviting atmosphere. So come and get a new book or piece of hot tech to take home today!

Library of Things Spotlight:

Travel

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 December is our collection of travel related things.

This collection encompasses things that would be good for traveling. Checkout a portable solar generator for camping, or a GoPro Hero for documenting those wild outdoor adventures. Perhaps a pair of binoculars for bird-watching or a Kindle Paperwhite for reading while relaxing next to a warm fire. There is something for everyone.

View our entire collection of Travel related things here. And find all our Library of Things in our newly created New Books and Hot Items Room located in the southeast corner of the main level of the library. Here you'll find a slat wall with cards for all our available library of things items. Just take a card to the main desk and a staff member can get the item checked out for you.

And do not forget to check out some of our new grant-funded* items such as our Extended Loan iPads and Meta Quest 2 VR headsets. We also have new Windows 11 computers for public use in the library with Office 2021!

*This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.

Library Closed

Your Kirkwood Public Library

will be closed on Tuesday, December 24th and

Wednesday, December 25th in honor of Christmas.

We will also be closed on Tuesday, December 31st and

Wednesday, January 1st in honor of the New Year.

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

Libby, Hoopla and Kanopy.

KPL Podcast

Check out the KPL Podc a st.

New episodes released every Friday.

Dec 6: I Made It Out of Clay by Beth Kander

Dec 13: God Bless the Child by Anne Shaw Heinrich

Dec 20: The Golem of Brooklyn by Adam Mansbach

Books & Beyond

Look for special sales at Books & Beyond throughout December. You will also find many great holiday gifts for all ages, including on our crafter’s shelves.

December is “Read a New Book” month and many interesting options have been added to our history and biography book area.

All proceeds benefit the library.

P.S. Thank you to all who made our Holiday Walk sidewalk sale a success.

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 December:

So Much Snow by Kristen Schroeder.

And be sure to check out our new Story Walk in the front lawn of the Kirkwood YMCA. Look for this story in December:

Snowzilla by Janet Lawler.

Thank You Donors!

For their generous gifts to the Library.

See a list of our Contributors.

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