MCPL Hosts Celebrations in Grandview and Lee’s Summit

This week, MCPL will host belated ceremonies for its renovated Grandview Branch and new East Lee’s Summit Branch, both of which opened during the pandemic, delaying their opening celebrations. On Thursday, December 16, at 9:00 a.m., the Library will host a Rededication Ceremony at the Grandview Branch, which closed in July 2020 and reopened in March 2021 after receiving a number of improvements, including:

• An expansion of more than 4,000 square feet
• New community program room and meeting rooms
• New children’s area
• New windows, lighting, paint, carpet, ceilings, and signage and display cases
• Automatic entrance doors
• Enhanced entry and native landscaping

On Friday, December 17, at 9:00 a.m., the Library will host a Dedication Ceremony at its new East Lee’s Summit Branch, which opened in June 2020. The new facility spans 18,500 square feet and offers a wide variety of amenities, including:

• A community programming room for classes and forums (seating up to 150)
• Three enclosed meeting/study rooms
• A designated teen area
• A children’s area—the “Richard and Deborah Link Learning Center” (dedicated to the prior owners who generously donated a portion of the property)
• Outdoor seating area

Both ceremonies will be followed by remarks from Library leadership as well as local officials, followed by special “book-opening” ceremonies and receptions. Both branches will be giving away $10 fine forgiveness tokens (one per person) throughout the weekend. Tokens can be used one time to clear all Library fines and fees up to $10. In addition, customers can participate in virtual scavenger hunts through the free GooseChase app for the chance to win a gift certificate.

The construction of the East Lee’s Summit Branch and renovation of the Grandview Branch are both part of MCPL’s multi-year Capital Improvement Plan to upgrade its existing branches and add new service locations. The Plan, which is nearly complete, is made possible by increased funding from the passage of Proposition L by voters in 2016. Design work for the Capital Plan is being completed by Sapp Design Architects and Helix Architecture + Design with JE Dunn assuming responsibility for construction contractor management.

In addition to all the physical upgrades, the increased funding approved by voters in 2016 has allowed MCPL to expand branch hours, enhance special services, augment early literacy efforts, and buy more materials. More information about all of the Library’s construction projects can be found at mymcpl.org/Community.