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Mid-Continent Public Library company history timeline

1965

After years of partnership, the county districts of Jackson and Clay combined their administrative services in 1965.

Mid-Continent Public Library system was formed in 1965 when the libraries in Jackson, Clay, and Platte counties consolidated.

1966

The first North Oak Branch was opened in the First National Bank in 1966.

1968

Platte County joined the, then named, Mid-Continent Public Library Service in 1968.

1973

South Independence Branch began in May 1973.

In 1973, it officially became the North Independence Branch.

1975

The first one burned down in 1975! Last year, 77,214 patrons visited the branch.

1978

Seven years later, on December 27, 1978, the Clay County Library District fully consolidated with the Jackson County Library District forming Consolidated Library District No.

1979

3. And on February 20, 1979, the Platte County Court voted to consolidate the Platte County Library District with Consolidated Public Library District No.

1981

In 1981 the Frank Hughes Memorial Library of Liberty merged with Mid-Continent Public Library, and the library system was now composed of 24 branch libraries in three counties.

1984

In 1984, an ambitious building program was begun with the goal of either building new or remodeling 25 branch library buildings including a presence in Lone Jack.

The first new building was constructed in 1984.

1987

The current Red Bridge Branch opened in 1987.

1988

The current Antioch Branch opened in 1988.

The current MCPL logo was designed in 1988 when MCPL held a logo design contest.

1989

The Camden Point Branch opened in 1989.

1990

Oak Grove Branch opened its current doors in 1990.

1991

In 1991, it was apparent that the building program was coming in under budget and there were sufficient monies still available in the building fund to construct additional facilities, but operating income was insufficient to staff them.

The current Lee's Summit Branch opened in 1991.

By 1991, more space was needed and the new branch building was acquired on 35th Street.

1992

The current Liberty Branch opened in 1992.

1993

The Blue Springs North Branch opened in 1993 when the original Blue Springs Branch could not serve all customers.

1994

The Mid-Continent Public Library became fully automated in 1994 with circulation, intra-library loan and in-branch online public access catalog modules.

The Boardwalk Branch opened in 1994.

1995

The Mid-Continent Public Library website was launched on December 1, 1995.

The current Weston Branch opened in 1995.

1996

In 1996, a 12,000 square foot Genealogy Branch was completed adjacent to the North Independence Branch to house the genealogy collection.

2006

In 2006, property was acquired to build a replacement Smithville branch.

The new 15,638 square foot Platte City branch complete with a drive-up window was complete in 2006.

2010

Steve Potter currently serves as the Mid-Continent Public Library Director and CEO. He started in August 2010.

Also, in 2010, the North Independence branch was renovated.

The new MCPL website was unveiled in 2010 at mymcpl.org.

2011

A third site was added in 2011 at the Platte City Resource Center in Platte County.

In 2011, MCPL began offering eBooks.

2014

The Grain Valley Branch’s current building was opened in 2014 and added much in the way of technology for its customers.

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