It's here! Check out our new catalog app. PLUS: Summer Reading wrap-up, August Zoom events & more! Welcome to your August 2020 Library Services Update from NKCPL.

Browsing our ME collection just got even easier!

Good news! Now you can download a Missouri Evergreen app to search the shared library catalog for ME’s member libraries — more than 50 (and counting!). You can browse titles, place holds, view your library account, and more. Click here for links to both iOS and Android versions, or visit your device’s app store and search “Missouri Evergreen.” As a reminder (since we all have so many apps!), this new app allows you to browse our physical collection: what's on the shelf here, and what we can borrow for you from our trading partners. You may already have the Overdrive, Libby, and/or RBDigital apps; these apps give you access to our digital collection(s), which include e-books and e-audiobooks. Have questions?  Let us know!

Hey kids & YAs! Finished logging your SRP reads? Enjoy a Summer Fun/Yum Pizza Party, on us!

Hey kids! Have you finished your 5th log in this year's Summer Reading Program? And young adults: Have you read five books to complete your program? YAY! That's awesome. To say congrats on your SRP completion, we're putting together a Summer Fun/Yum Pizza Party To-Go Kit — a "party in a box" that includes a coupon for a free pizza, plus other supplies for summer fun — for you to enjoy at home. It's not quite the party we'd originally planned, but it's the safer bet this year. Happy celebrating! Kiddos who've finished their 5th log and YAs who logged five books (or more) can pick up their Pizza Party Kits here at the Library via Curbside Pickup on or after August 3. Questions? Let us know!

Adult readers, we're drawing prizes August 3!

Thanks to all those who participated in Summer Reading on the adult side! Wow, you guys — you logged a TON of reads this summer, and you wrote so many stellar reviews. Amazing job! We'll be drawing the winners of our end-of-program prizes — more than $500 in gift cards — on August 3, and lucky ducks will be notified after. A big thank you to ALL who participated! It's been a treat to read along with you this summer.

The Bear Must Go On...at our August Book Walk!

Have you had a chance to check out our Book Walk this summer? Each year, for the duration of our Summer Reading Program, we host (or post?) a Book Walk around the Library's perimeter. We swap in a new title each month, and then wrap things up in early August. This year, though, we're adding a fourth (bonus!) book for the month of August: The Bear Must Go On, which is illustrated by local (as in NKC-based) author Brandon Todd! How cool is that?? VERY COOL. :) Check out this fantastic story here at our Book Walk all month long.

We've got Curbside Crafts for makers of all ages.

Feeling crafty? We've got you covered with creative kits for makers of all ages. Ask about our Curbside Craft kits for kids; these super-simple take-and-make projects (which change weekly or so) are available while supplies last each day. And for older crafters, we've got a variety of kits, as well: tissue paper luminaries, magazine bead starter packs, some fun DIY pins to make, and more, all while supplies last. Call or email for info, or to request a kit (or kits). Happy crafting!

Call to reserve your free basil starter seed kit!

And we have a little something for you, just because. Now available for FREE via Curbside Pickup: the cutest mini bamboo pots/basil starter seed kits you've ever seen in your life. We're giving them away by request while supplies last. Just call us (816.221.3360) to reserve yours, or  email to have us set one (or more) aside for you. The pots come with sprouting/planting instructions, and are nice in that they can live inside on your window sill, or outside in your garden. And you're growing basil! One of the very herbiest herbs. So keep it in your kitchen, and it'll smell like summer forever. :)

Zoom into these August events with NKCPL...

While we're continuing to hold off on in-person meetings and events for now, we are offering a handful of new Zoom sessions in August, including Chair Yoga (three Wednesdays, each at 10 am), and Medicare 101, which we'll offer twice, one day and one evening, for max convenience. We're also offering a session on managing COVID-related anxiety. For class dates and times, and to register, go here . Zoom links for classes will be emailed prior to the event.

Ok. Let's be real. We could probably all use some good news right about now...

Or at least a little boost? Which is why we’re starting a new photo share here at the Library: Best in Show. It’s a gallery of pics of our pets (whose steadfast goodness just makes life better), and its purpose is smiles. That’s it! Click here to submit your pet pic or pics, or email abrown@nkcpl.org.

Generous state grant funds NKCPL tech upgrade

This summer, NKCPL is the grateful recipient of a needed technology upgrade, which 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. Thanks to this grant, the Library was able to acquire brand new staff and patron computers, building-wide. These speedy machines are a huge boon to our organization, and will assist and empower the work we do in real and meaningful ways, each and every day. Thank you, Institute of Museum and Library Services, for your ongoing support of NKCPL!

We're putting safety first at NKCPL. Here's how.

As we move though our phased reopening process, the Library continues to take a number of precautions to create a safe environment for Library staff and users. We're wearing necessary PPE, sanitizing regularly, and quarantining all incoming materials for four days. This latter protocol reflects new research from the REALM Project (Reopening Archives, Libraries and Museums) indicating that it takes four days before the virus is not detectable on some types of glossy book pages. Have questions about these or other safety protocols at NKCPL? Please let us know!