Olathe Public Library:
100 Years of Community Service
Where Are We Going?
In the nine years since the Indian Creek Branch opened, the library has continued to grow. Total checkout of library materials has increased by 72% since 2000. Last year, 632,066 people visited the two branches and checked out more than 1.3 million items. Olatheans love their libraries!
However, in an effort to provide you with the materials you need, our shelves have begun to overflow. The main library, built to hold 100,000 materials now houses more than 132,000, while the Indian Creek Branch, built to hold 50,000 materials now has almost 80,000. Despite the need to expand services, a bond vote in 2004, which would have allowed three more branches to be built, was defeated by only 893 votes.
In 2008, we offered 624 storytimes and special programs for children and 238 programs for adults and teens. While we offer programs on both sides of town, limited meeting room space at the main library means that most of our larger programs have to be held at the Indian Creek branch.
In 2007, the library hired a consulting firm to help determine our future. They completed their report in 2008, and provided us with recommendations on how best to serve our community for the next 20 years. This included information on both services and facilities.
In order to continue to meet the expanding needs of the Olathe community, it has been recommended that we rebuild the main library downtown and expand the Indian Creek Branch, adding much needed space to both locations. In addition to these improvements to current facilities, it was also recommended that the library build a new branch in the northwest portion of Olathe, and eventually build a branch to the south as well.
2008 Nancy Quinlisk Chandler
Volunteer Award Winners
How will we achieve these goals? The same way we have for the last hundred years - through the generous support of the Olathe community. The Olathe Public Library is your hometown library, and with your continued support, we will always be here to serve you.
Happy Birthday, Olathe Public Library!
Sources include:
Seventy-Five Years of Community Service by Mary Jo O'Brien
Olathe "The City Beautiful" Centennial, 1857-1957: Souvenir Program