Nestled in the heart of UMKC, Linda Hall Library remains under appreciated by students.
The independent public library houses numerous resources for scientific exploration and research. They offer free wifi, printing, scanning and study spaces for everyone.
Collections and Reference Librarian Sophia Hann has been pushing to expand into broader territories.
“Miller Nichols Library is the bread and butter [for UMKC students], but we’ve got more of that niche collection. We’re a public library, so we have programs anyone is free to join,” she said.
Patrons can openly browse and check out books on the first and second floors, but those in their “closed stacks” section must be requested. Books under 100 years old can be checked out for three weeks at a time – otherwise, they can only be accessed within the library.
With shelves of books stacked up to the ceiling, the books span 82 languages from origins all over the world. The main floor contains many reference materials, magazines and encyclopedias while the second floor contains books from the 1980s to the present.
In the middle of the enormous first floor stands one of the four largest malachite statues in the world. It was a donation from a library supporter, and the librarians affectionately say it represents the wealth of knowledge in their collection.
(Lilah Manning)
Downstairs is the library’s History of Science Rare Book Room, a vaulted space with protected books. Anyone is welcome to place a request to use the materials, but they have to be accompanied by a supervising staff member.
In most public libraries, unused books are removed. The Linda Hall Library keeps them for the sake of future researchers.
In the 2024 edition of their magazine “Hedgehog,” President Eric Dorfman discussed their recent acquisitions. The library obtained a book of Galileo’s work with his handwriting and a book bound in meteorite.
“Linda Hall Library, with its vast collections and dedication to science and technology, invites a diverse audience of scholars, students and the public to explore the breadth of human knowledge,” Dorfman said. “Our programming is designed to inspire curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of the complex world around us.”
The library originally operated out of Linda and Herbert Hall’s mansion during the 1940s. They built their house specifically to support bookshelves and heavy books. When the couple passed away, they donated $6 million to turn their home into the scientific public library of Kansas City.
Hann said the Linda Hall Library is perfect for her since she has degrees in both biology and librarian science.
“Being able to work at a science library, specifically one that works with the public, is perfect,” she said. “I want to make people understand how science works and have more trust in its process. This collection is amazing to work with. It’s very romantic.”
The establishment hosts several exhibitions every year and continuously highlights new acquisitions to the collection.
For more information about the Linda Hall Library or to check out books, visit their website.
