Only in Kansas City does a parking garage become a landmark: the Central Library’s famous “Community Bookshelf” garage, whose 22 giant book spines — from “Charlotte’s Web” to “The Lord of the Rings” — announce a building that treats reading as a celebration.
Inside the Kansas City Public Library’s Central Branch, families find a children’s library full of reading nooks, story times and the original bank vault turned movie nook in this former First National Bank building. Rooftop views, author events and free exhibits fill out a visit.
The children’s book spines on the garage were chosen by Kansas City readers themselves — a fitting vote, since this library belongs to its city like few others.
Bring the kids, pick a favorite spine for a photo, then go find that very book inside. That’s the game, and everybody wins.
