Mid-Continent Public Library

Mid-Continent Public Library
Map
39°06′42″N 94°23′30″W / 39.11164°N 94.39154°W / 39.11164; -94.39154
LocationClay, Platte, and Jackson Counties,
Missouri
Established1965 (1892)
Branches38
Collection
Size8,970,728 (2021)
Access and use
Circulation11,935,408 (2021)
Population served840,292
Other information
Budget$58,266,623 (2022-2023)
DirectorAaron Mason (2023)
Websitemymcpl.org

Mid-Continent Public Library, officially known as Consolidated Library District #3, is a public library system serving Clay, Platte, and Jackson counties in Missouri, with headquarters in Independence, Missouri.

Mid-Continent Public Library is the largest public library system in the U.S. state of Missouri by number of volumes and size of budget. Its collection ranks among the 100 largest libraries in America, which includes university, public, and private collections,[1] and is among the nation's 20 largest public library systems.[2][3] The Kansas City Public Library is a separate library system with facilities primarily serving Kansas City in Jackson County, Missouri.

On May 8, 2014, the Mid-Continent Public Library received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service[4] during a ceremony at the White House in Washington D.C.[2] The medal is the country's highest honor awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.[2][3]

  1. ^ "The Nation's Largest Libraries: A Listing By Volumes Held". Tools, Publications & Resources. July 7, 2006. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Dittmer, Ryne (May 22, 2014). "Mid-Continent receives IMLS National Medal". Gladstone Dispatch. p. A10.
  3. ^ a b Dittmer, Ryne (May 22, 2014). "Mid-Continent receives IMLS National Medal". Liberty Tribune. News-Press & Gazette Company. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  4. ^ "5. Mid-Continent Public Library" (Press release). Institute of Museum and Library Services. Archived from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2023.