[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 200 (Tuesday, December 5, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CELEBRATING THE KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2023

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the Kansas City 
Public Library (KCPL) for one hundred and fifty years of service and 
commitment to the community. For over a century, the Kansas City Public 
Library has served as a gateway for people to gain knowledge and 
wisdom. The library offers resources and services that cultivate a love 
and appreciation for reading and learning. On this momentous occasion, 
let us reflect on the irreplaceable assets the Kansas City Public 
Library, and all libraries, have given us.
  In 1873, the Public School Library of Kansas City was established as 
an invaluable resource for fostering a love of reading, allowing all 
who visit the library to immerse themselves in new worlds. In times of 
extreme economic hardship, KCPL has stood as a beacon of hope and 
prosperity. The library offered a sense of culture and sophistication, 
thereby helping establish the foundation upon which Kansas City was 
built. This institution started with just a few books and has 
flourished into what we now know as the Kansas City Public Library, 
with ten branches, thousands of books, and an immeasurable amount of 
online assistance.
  By offering a variety of children's books, novels, textbooks, and 
databases, libraries represent different things to different people. 
Synonymous with education, a library can fuel a student's love for 
learning, allowing them to better understand themselves, friends, 
family, and the world. Lending books allows prolonged access to 
knowledge that may not be available anywhere else. Catalogs and records 
help us learn from the past and recognize how it shaped our present and 
future. Libraries inspire creativity and imagination, creating an open 
space for people to share stories and engage with each other. A place 
unlike any other where all ages can come together, the Kansas City 
Public Library is not only a quiet place for students to study but also 
a place to make a friend, pick up a new hobby, access the internet, and 
attend educational events.
  The Kansas City Public Library does more than just provide access to 
knowledge. The library system is keenly aware of the needs and 
hardships of many who enter their doors. Specialists throughout the 
branches help individuals with common issues that everyday people face, 
from taxes and budgeting to health and fitness. A safe haven is 
provided for those who enter any of the Kansas City branches. In 2016, 
the Outreach Team, alongside the AmeriCorps VISTAs, began ``Coffee & 
Conversations.'' These meetings invite people experiencing hardships 
and housing insecurity to have open discussions about their lives; 
ensuring they have food, emergency supplies, and the support needed to 
stay on their feet. Additionally, there is also an initiative to help 
those who just came to the United States. Refugee & Immigrant Services 
& Empowerment connects the immigrant community with opportunities, 
services, and resources to help immigrants gain citizenship and 
integrate into their new home.
  Numerous awards and acknowledgements have been given to the Kansas 
City Public Library to recognize the extraordinary work being 
accomplished. Multiple five-star ratings have been given by the Library 
Journal because of program attendance, library visits, internet 
computer usage, and circulation. The library system received the 
National Medal for Museum and Library Service in 2008 in recognition of 
children's programs and free events. There is no denying the 
outstanding performance of this library. The awards, ratings, and 
reviews for all the services this library system offers, proves KCPL is 
a premier library in the country.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in honoring the Kansas City 
Public Library on one hundred and any years of resilience and 
engagement within Missouri's Fifth Congressional District. I have no 
doubt they will continue to foster a love of reading and prove to be an 
invaluable resource for all visitors. It is fitting to celebrate this 
milestone and reflect on the significance of libraries in our 
community. Here's to another hundred and fifty years of the Kansas City 
Public Library being a shining light for knowledge, inspiration, and 
opportunity.

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