State Library of Kansas

Title Slide for Video, "Connected by Stories: The Journey of a Talking Book" from the State Library of Kansas Talking Books team.

A man in dark sunglasses stands at his mailbox with a Talking Book delivery in his hands. He says, "Oh YEAH! A Book!"

Oh YEAH! A Book! Wonder how #TalkingBooks find you? From a quiet recording studio to your mailbox, every Talking Book carries more than a story. It carries independence. Access. Community. Watch the journey; see how we’re all Connected by Stories. bit.ly/TalkingBooks... #Kansas

tree branches blurred

"All life is an experiment."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

a little strange for today💙

It’s Kansas Talking Books Week & we’re celebrating the theme Connected by Stories & the many ways reading brings us all together. All week we’ll be highlighting the people and partnerships that keep us Connected by Stories and we invite you to celebrate with us. #TalkingBooks

The Power of Kansas Libraries Providing reading and information resources so every Kansan can aim for the stars. Kansas libraries by the numbers* *2024 Kansas Public Library Survey 369: Kansas Public Libraries & Branches 9,691,513: Visitors in 2024 15,941,648: Physical Materials Circulated 5,925,883: Digital Resources Circulated audiobooks, music, movies and more 2,110,319: Database Full-Text Used 736,272: Interlibrary Loan Resources Shared 1,154,970: Computer Sessions 3,679: Public Computers Available 3,195,104: Wi-Fi Sessions 67,966,: Total Library Programs 38,140: Programs for Children 29,826: Programs for Adults 1,356,899: Total Library Program Attendance 805,918: Children in Attendance 550,981: Adults in Attendance Kansas libraries offer more public-access internet computers per capita than any other state. 2023, Public Library Survey Benchmarking Tables (IMLS) Grinnell, Kansas, 2025: Volunteers from Moore Family Library, Northwest Kansas Library System and Northcentral Kansas Library System worked together to sort library books and resources donated to Grinnell’s Grade School Library after an EF3 tornado destroyed it May 18. “The ability for libraries to share materials via Interlibrary Loan is a cornerstone of access to our small town. Thanks to these programs, I’m able to open an entire world of information, exploration and entertainment to my students and faculty ... they are not limited to what’s in our building, district, town, county and even state!”- Melissa Hipp, Librarian Hoisington USD 431 State Library of Kansas, 300 SW 10 Ave., Rm. 312-N, Topeka, KS 66612 library.ks.gov · library@ks.gov · 800.432.3919How IMLS Funding Supports Kasans These essential Kansas library services were made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Links to Kansas’ fi veyear project plan and state program report can be found on the State Library of Kansas website at library.ks.gov/librarians/ lsta. IMLS allocated $2.1 million in 2025 to support Kansa…

"Kansas libraries offer more public-access internet computers per capita than any other state." 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀⭐️, library.ks.gov/ld.php?conte.... #IMLS #Kansas #Libraries #AdAstraPerAspera

KPR's 250 Bookshelf series w/2nd of 2 shows on February's theme: Love Your Community! Features Dave Loewenstein & KS murals, Prisca Barnes & 1958 Dockum Drug Store sit-in, & Pat O'Connor w/Wichita's Blues, kansaspublicradio.org/podcast/kpr-.... #America250 @travelks.bsky.social

Vibrant pink cherry blossom coming in to flower

Day 1339 of #IansDailyPhotoChallenge and a miserable, wet end to February
Lucky I found this stunning cherry blossom then isn't it? 🤗❤️🌸🍒 #inspiringnature #wildlife #naturephotography #MentalHealthMatters
#365DaysWild

Toad shouts to his seeds, trying to get them to grow. From "The Garden" In *Frog and Toad Together*

Toad put his head very close to the ground and shouted, “NOW SEEDS, START GROWING!”

Wow!

Sam Elliott narrates this “Happy Birthday America, here’s to the next 250” message for America 250, (CLICK the link ▶️) bit.ly/SameElliottA.... Enjoy. #America250 #KS250

Photo collage of State Library of Kansas Talking Books patrons, volunteers and team members and "Connected By Stories: Celebrate Talking Books Week, March 1-7, 2026, library.ks.gov/TalkingBooks." Image of a DA2 digital audio book reader is included.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Celebrate Talking Books Week March 1-7, 2026! Discover the history of Talking Books, what Talking Books provides eligible Kansans free of charge, how to connect your story with Talking Books & more, bit.ly/TalkingBooks... #ThatAllMayRead
#KansasTalkingBooks

This month our #LEGO display cases have been full of brilliantly bright LEGO models for our #OrkneyLibraryLego YEAR OF THE HORSE theme! 🐎🈲️🎊

All made by library users using our #Lego collection. Thanks to everyone who made us a model! ❤️

Our next theme is WORLD BOOK DAY! 📚🦸‍♂️🧙‍♀️👦👧

A smiling girl raises her hand in what appears to be a cozy classroom. Title: "BOOKFlix: Where stories and nonfiction connect," is printed above circles featuring an artist's jellyfish and an underwater photo.

Screenshot of the BOOKFlix front page showing a themed book pairing and themes to explore like animals and nature, earth and sky, people and places, abcs and 123s, adventure, family and community, celebrations, music and rhyme and imagination.

Screenshot of a video featuring "Dog Breath" and a Smiling Dog with options to watch the story or read the book, explore word matches and other puzzles related to the book and to meet the creators.

Celebrate Early Childhood Day at the Capitol with #Scholastic's BOOKFlix 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 for pre- & early readers! Pairing fiction & nonfiction, fun video & themes, it's an adventure your kids will love, library.ks.gov/DigitalBooks #KSleg

Learn one more way 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

A vintage car and "Dragging Wyatt Earp: A Personal History of Dodge City" bending around the curve of windshield and hood.

Ladybird Collected in the borders of a Kansas gold outline of the state. Images of meadowlarks, pie, lunch bags and coffee, sunflowers and dandelions surround the title.

Image of a rural football game with players in red helmets under a blue sky and in front of cultivated fields.

From Dragging Wyatt Earp, to football & murals, music & sharing meals, the KS250 Bookshelf February theme is “Love your community.” Scroll the bookshelf for titles you’ve read & want to read. Your local library can help, library.ks.gov/KS250/February @america250.bsky.social

A whiteboard leaned against a shelf with many trinkets. On the whiteboard, it says “When you look at a blank page, think of who you love”

In his acceptance speech for award for best screenplay, Ryan Coogler said “when you look at a blank page, think of who you love” and I dunno, that really moved me so I wrote it down and sat it on my desk to look at while I work

Genre-based Readers’ Advisory for Comics & Manga | Moni's Picks - LibraryPass™ Moni Barrette has comics and manga recommendations for some of the most popular genres to help find your next favorite read. #ReadAllTheComics

With thousands of comics and manga to choose from, it can feel daunting to find your next favorite read. This month, Moni Barrette has done the hard part for you by highlighting titles from eight popular genres, including Slice of Life, Superheroes, Romantic, and more.

#ReadAllTheComics #ComicSky

Intergen at the Library: Programming and Engagement Across Ages | OCLC's WebJunction Through intergenerational programming, libraries foster design opportunities for people to interact with, learn from, and share with people of different ages, interests, and cultural backgrounds. In t...

Generational divides are some of the steepest. 👥 Join OCLC's #WebJunction on 26 February to explore how libraries can foster opportunities for people to interact, learn, and share across ages, interests, and backgrounds.

⤵️ Register here. #WJwebinar

Kansas History Nugget: KPR visited Topeka's Free State Capitol to talk with Friends of the Free State Capitol. Home to 1855 Topeka Constitutional Convention & Free State legislature, now renovated & restored. kansaspublicradio.org/podcast/kpr-.... @america250.bsky.social #KS250 #KPR

Refresh your young learners' schooltime skills with The Mailbox Plus; Lesson Plans for you and adventures for your kids. bit.ly/TheMailboxPlus . #TheMailboxPlus

You still have time to register for tonight's celebration of Kansas music history. Register to get the link and be sure to log on by 7 p.m. Free-of-charge and fun! calendar.library.ks.gov/event/15979822

This local Wolfdog joined an Olympic ski event and triggered the finish-line camera. This is Nazgul. He snuck into a cross-country skiing sprint this morning and raced the homestretch with some competitors before being escorted home. 14/10 someone get him a medal

Feb. 19: Step into Kansas music history through two powerful, story-driven books. Patrick O’Connor’s "Wichita Blues" and Seth Bate’s "Winfield’s Walnut Valley Festival." Register here, calendar.library.ks.gov/event/15979822 #KS250 @america250.bsky.social

This GOOD BOY ran onto the course during the Women’s Cross-Country Skiing Team Sprint event, crossing the finish line and being automatically recorded by OMEGA’s photofinish camera 😆

We're cheering on our Liberal, Kansas, peeps as they run for the pancake prize!

The Power of Kansas Libraries Providing reading and information resources so every Kansan can aim for the stars. Kansas libraries by the numbers* *2024 Kansas Public Library Survey 369: Kansas Public Libraries & Branches 9,691,513: Visitors in 2024 15,941,648: Physical Materials Circulated 5,925,883: Digital Resources Circulated audiobooks, music, movies and more 2,110,319: Database Full-Text Used 736,272: Interlibrary Loan Resources Shared 1,154,970: Computer Sessions 3,679: Public Computers Available 3,195,104: Wi-Fi Sessions 67,966,: Total Library Programs 38,140: Programs for Children 29,826: Programs for Adults 1,356,899: Total Library Program Attendance 805,918: Children in Attendance 550,981: Adults in Attendance Kansas libraries offer more public-access internet computers per capita than any other state. 2023, Public Library Survey Benchmarking Tables (IMLS) Grinnell, Kansas, 2025: Volunteers from Moore Family Library, Northwest Kansas Library System and Northcentral Kansas Library System worked together to sort library books and resources donated to Grinnell’s Grade School Library after an EF3 tornado destroyed it May 18. “The ability for libraries to share materials via Interlibrary Loan is a cornerstone of access to our small town. Thanks to these programs, I’m able to open an entire world of information, exploration and entertainment to my students and faculty ... they are not limited to what’s in our building, district, town, county and even state!”- Melissa Hipp, Librarian Hoisington USD 431 State Library of Kansas, 300 SW 10 Ave., Rm. 312-N, Topeka, KS 66612 library.ks.gov · library@ks.gov · 800.432.3919How IMLS Funding Supports Kasans These essential Kansas library services were made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Links to Kansas’ fi veyear project plan and state program report can be found on the State Library of Kansas website at library.ks.gov/librarians/ lsta. IMLS allocated $2.1 million in 2025 to support Kansa…

"Kansas libraries offer more public-access internet computers per capita than any other state." 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀⭐️, library.ks.gov/ld.php?conte.... #IMLS #Kansas #Libraries #AdAstraPerAspera

1. The birthday celebrations began to snub a king. 2. Washington did not enjoy the limelight. 3. The day is not celebrated or spelled consistently across the United States. Read, www.proquest.com/usnews/newsp... , for more @america250.bsky.social history nuggets. #PresidentsDay 2/2

Image of a somber young George Washington with dark curly hair and dressed in a tri-corner hat and wearing a crescent ceremonial medallion.

"Evolution of a three-day weekend: One president's day grew into Presidents Day over 250 years,"
@chicagotribune.com. Facts you may not yet know about Presidents Day, from #ProQuest by Clarivate's U.S. NewsStream Collection via 𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆.𝗸𝘀.𝗴𝗼𝘃/𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀: 1/2

1. The birthday celebrations began to snub a king. 2. Washington did not enjoy the limelight. 3. The day is not celebrated or spelled consistently across the United States. Read, www.proquest.com/usnews/newsp... , for more @america250.bsky.social history nuggets. #PresidentsDay 2/2

Image of a somber young George Washington with dark curly hair and dressed in a tri-corner hat and wearing a crescent ceremonial medallion.

"Evolution of a three-day weekend: One president's day grew into Presidents Day over 250 years,"
@chicagotribune.com. Facts you may not yet know about Presidents Day, from #ProQuest by Clarivate's U.S. NewsStream Collection via 𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆.𝗸𝘀.𝗴𝗼𝘃/𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀: 1/2