More than just a repository of books, The Central Branch of the Kansas City is also part Museum, community center, and an architectural landmark. 
One of the most striking features to the Central Library is the book facade which actually covers the adjoining parking lot. When the lot was constructed in 2006 a contest was held for library patrons to name their favorite book, twenty-two titles were selected. Each “Book” is approximately twenty-five foot tall and nine foot wide. Some of the titles included are “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” “The Lord of the Rings” and Plato’s “The Republic.” The facade quickly became a favorite landmark of downtown Kansas City.
The Interior library building itself is also a marvel. The building that houses the library was once a bank and still has its bank vault, which was converted into a movie theater.
Even if you have no interest in reading, the former bank building holds stunning architecture. The Library often has traveling exhibits from such museums as the Smithsonian and recently had a first folio copy of Shakespeare on loan from the Folger Library.
The library also has a coffee shop that serves coffee and light meals and has a roof patio that contains a human-sized chess set.
The central branch of the Kansas City Public Library is a great place to watch a movie, drink coffee, see public art and traveling exhibits, play chess, oh and read, you can even read there too.
What a beautiful library! I love the exterior of the building!
What’s odd is, for the longest time I didn’t even know this was in my home town of Kansas City. I saw it on Jeopardy as a question and then was determined to find out what part of town town it was.