Latest news with #WichitaPublicLibrary
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wichita's Maya Angelou Library reopens with celebration
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — After months of renovations and years of planning, the Wichita Public Library officially celebrated the grand reopening of the Maya Angelou Branch Library on Saturday, welcoming the community back to a refreshed and reimagined space at 3051 E. 21st Street. Tens of thousands crowd Sundown Parade The event began with a ribbon cutting and remarks from city leaders, including District 1 Council Member Brandon Johnson, who reflected on the years of planning and community input that led to the branch's transformation. 'I am really excited today,' Johnson said. 'This is something that has been in the works for years.' The Angelou Branch quietly reopened in March after undergoing extensive remodeling, which included the addition of a sunroom, updated interiors, and a relocated study room. Improvements also include upgraded lighting and flooring, along with a seed library for residents to grow their own food. 'We're really doing Maya Angelou justice,' Johnson said. 'I hope that people feel welcome and included. When you look at the renovation, the artwork, the cultural artwork, the quote that is on the outside on the mural, I hope that a lot of the folks in this community see themselves in the space.' The library also now features extended hours, remaining open until 8 p.m., two hours later than before. 'I am looking forward to seeing more young people coming through here,' Johnson said. 'The library is where I spent a lot of my time as a kid. I love to read.' For Johnson, the moment was personal. 'I think about my upbringing, growing up in poverty. We didn't have enough money to buy books all the time, so I spent a lot of time in the library,' he said. 'I would check out the Goosebumps books. I think I read the whole series twice.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Westlink Branch Library to hold grand reopening on Saturday
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – If you have waited to check out Wichita's remodeled Westlink Branch Library, this weekend may be a great opportunity. The library reopened in March but still needed a few finishing touches. Now that those finishing touches are completed, the Wichita Public Library is inviting people to the grand reopening celebration this Saturday, May 10. The library at 8515 Bekemeyer, near Central and Tyler, has doubled in size, adding community meeting rooms, more study spaces, a drive-up window, an expanded children's room, and a dedicated teen space. The branch also has updated technology. New leader chosen for Wichita's African American museum Saturday's celebration begins at 9:45 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and speeches. The doors open at 10 a.m. with activities running until 5 p.m. Every half hour, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., adults can learn an easy sewing project at Mini Makes: Quick and Fun Sewing Class in classroom 111. Register for one of the half-hour classes by clicking here. 11 a.m. to noon: Award-winning children's musician Mr. Stinky Feet will perform 'Rockin' the Library' in conference rooms 115 and 116. 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.: The Wichita Symphony Orchestra will present Symphony Among the Shelves in conference rooms 115 and 116. 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Regina Klenjoski Dance Company will present the contemporary dance performance 'Inspiration in Motion' in conference rooms 115 and 116. Click here for the celebration schedule. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
How to get a free shower head or aerator from Wichita
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Wichita is still in stage 2 of its drought plan. Cheney Reservoir, where Wichita gets most of its water, is nearly 8 feet below normal, and watering restrictions remain in place. The City of Wichita is encouraging residents to help conserve water. As part of the effort, the city is giving away free low-flow shower heads and aerators to help reduce household water use. The city says installing low-flow shower heads can save up to 8,000 gallons of water a year, while aerators can conserve up to 700 gallons yearly. Baby elephant at the Sedgwick County Zoo – it's a boy! The free shower heads and aerators will be available starting Monday, April 14, at the City Hall information desk, any Wichita Public Library location, or City of Wichita neighborhood resource centers, while supplies last. The giveaway is being funded by the city's Water Conservation Rebate Program. Under the program, residents can receive a rebate for purchasing rain barrels, low-flow toilets, water-conserving dishwashers, and other home improvements that conserve water. The city says that as of April 1st, $96,151.08 in funding remains available under the program for 2025. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
T-shirts sales will support Wichita Public Library
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Wichita Public Library has something new planned for National Library Week. Patrons can buy T-shirts to support the library. It comes at a critical time. The Wichita Public Library is concerned that one of President Donald Trump's Executive Orders will have disastrous consequences for libraries and communities. The order called for eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which funds 30% of the State Library of Kansas' budget. The funding is also crucial for the technology that links library resources across the state. 'Eliminating these funds will prevent residents from accessing the critical information they seek in order to thrive,' the library said in a news release. The president's directive is not the reason for the T-shirt sale. Spanish cannon vanishes from Wichita war memorial, found damaged 'The plan was already in the works, but the Executive Order makes the issue of funding more pressing than ever before,' David Garcia, Wichita Public Library, senior communications specialist, said. The Friends of the Wichita Public Library will begin selling the library-themed shirts at the Used Book Sale on Saturday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Advanced Learning Library, 711 W. 2nd Street. Adult sizes are $25 and youth sizes are $20. If you miss the sale, you can still get a T-shirt. They will be permanently available at the Used Bookstore located on the first floor of the Advanced Learning Library. More products and an online shop will soon follow. The library hopes people will take time during National Library Week, April 6-12, to recognize what libraries offer to communities. 'The need for funding is never-ending, but now more than ever, the issue is tantamount,' Garcia said. 'Simply put, we want our patrons to know the need is urgent, and any way they'd like to show their support would be graciously accepted.' He said a potential budget deficit for the City of Wichita is also on the horizon. If you want to help, you can buy the library merchandise, donate through the Wichita Public Library Foundation at or share your concerns with elected officials. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Library reopens Westlink Branch after long remodel
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — What was once the busiest branch library in Wichita may regain that title. The Wichita Public Library has reopened the Westlink Branch after an almost two-year remodeling project. The library at 8515 Bekemeyer, near Central and Tyler, has doubled in size, adding community meeting rooms, more study spaces, a drive-up window, an expanded children's room, and a dedicated teen space. The branch also has updated technology. 'Modern libraries definitely aren't just a warehouse of books, and we've been exploring that through our Advanced Learning Library and all of our other branches,' Jaime Nix, Wichita director of libraries, said. 'Libraries are meeting spaces. They're places for opportunities for discovery, connection.' KSN's Asia Cymone Smith is the new Miss Kansas USA The branch still needs some work, but Nix said it was important to open it to the community. 'It's going to be a work in progress for the next month or so,' she said. 'We have some more furniture coming in. Obviously, we have a circulation desk that needs to be installed. We're erring on the side of the access before perfection, so we really wanted to open the doors.' Westlink Branch will be open: Monday through Thursday — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday — 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. After the library closed in May 2023, patrons were invited to use a temporary location in the shopping center at Central and Ridge Road. 'The temporary location definitely served a purpose for us, but we're glad to have everybody home,' Nix said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
