Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Kansas City, Here I Come



I wish I had seen this building as a child and had a chance to scale the pile of concrete books for a better view of the rainbow of volumes standing side by side on its facade.  My local library opened the world to me and made me feel all things were possible.  How perfect for a place without limits to be fronted by a wall of colorful bound issues of imagination.




I am always smitten by stone and brick buildings decked out in ornate whimsy, and Kansas City didn’t let me down. I love these solid structures proudly standing shoulder to shoulder ready to face whatever the passage of time brings their way.  The different building materials, colors, textures, eras butting into one another without ever clashing make me wish that people were better at doing the same.


It was a sunny summer day. Nearby the River Market Area was bustling with activity, but on these blocks people moved more slowly.  Content to slow myself down, I hummed along as Fats Domino’s voice sang in my head, “I’m going to Kansas City. Kansas City, here I come.”

 mamakat
Sharing a place (or two) I love to visit Kansas City and libraries.

10 comments:

  1. I love this building! So cool! And, speaking of cool, I've rediscovered our public library since Zilla has been so active with summer reading (and all year reading) there. Definitely helps the book budget!

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    1. Our library also has themed duffle bags filled with activities and books for kids her age as well as incredible hands-on activity workshops. It was a huge part of my kids' childhoods.

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  2. What a beautiful building! I like libraries too. I took my kids often when they were young. There were always reading circles and activities for them, and some libraries had museum exhibits we could see. I read my Kindle often, but I still visit the library.

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    1. Me too, Lori. Wandering through the shelves of books brings me such happy memories.

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  3. Now that is one spectacular sight to see! I would love to just run my hands across the painted book bindings - just like a do at a library. That's one of my favourite things to do!

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  4. I LIVE IN KANSAS CITY!! But can I admit something....I've never paid attention to the library on the Plaza. I will go down there some day and look.

    I was at the River Market on Monday. I love riding the Streetcar from the River Market to Union Station.

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    1. Yes! This library is very near the River Market. I just recently discovered the streetcar over there and was so excited! I am in Topeka, and KC is our go-to destination for a quick and special get away.

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  5. Is this Kansas City, Kansas? Or Kansas City, Missouri? It's a city in two states.

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    1. This is just north of downtown on the MO side. Really neat area.

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