Libraries are not what you think.

Kansas City Public Library (KCPL)

KCMO city library. 10 branches. The Central Branch (14 W 10th St, downtown) houses the Community Resources Team — a small staff of people who navigate you to food, housing, ID recovery, benefits, jobs. They will sit with you. They do not require a library card.

• Phone: 816-701-3400
• Website: kclibrary.org
• Card: free for residents of KCMO + several reciprocating areas. Two pieces of mail with your address.

What the Central Branch has

• Community Resources Team — social work / case management
• Computers + Wi-Fi (no card needed for short use)
• Notary (free, by appointment usually)
• Quiet study + group rooms
• Missouri Valley Special Collections (history archive)
• Programs: ESL classes, citizenship prep, legal clinics

Mid-Continent Public Library (MCPL)

Suburban MO metro library — Jackson, Clay, Platte counties (mostly outside KCMO city limits). 33 branches. Largest single library system in the region by branch count.

• Phone: 816-836-5200
• Website: mymcpl.org
• Career Resources at North Independence and Antioch branches.
• Genealogy archive at the Midwest Genealogy Center (3440 S Lee's Summit Rd).
• Mobile library serves areas without a fixed branch.

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (KCKPL)

• Phone: 913-551-3280
• Website: kckpl.org
• Main library: 625 Minnesota Ave, KCK · branches across Wyandotte County
• Computer access, language programs, US citizenship prep

Johnson County Library (JoCo)

• Phone: 913-826-4600
• Website: jocolibrary.org
• 14 branches across Johnson County KS
• Notary service (free, varies by branch)
• elementia (teen lit/zine archive), MakerSpace tools at Central

Other metro libraries

• Olathe Public Library (KS) — 913-971-6850
• Leavenworth Public Library (KS) — 913-682-5666
• Liberty Public Library (MO) — 816-781-9551
• North Kansas City Public Library (MO) — 816-221-3360
• Cass County Public Library (MO) — 816-884-6285

What libraries are good for that most people don't know

• Notary public — free, but call ahead. Bring unsigned documents and ID.
• Fax — many branches still have fax machines, free or near-free.
• Wi-Fi without a card — most branches have outdoor Wi-Fi that reaches the parking lot, on after hours.
• Mobile hotspots — many systems loan out hotspots (KCPL, MCPL, JoCo).
• Tools, instruments, gardening supplies, kitchen equipment — many systems have a "library of things."
• Tax help — VITA volunteers staff some branches during tax season (free for income under ~$60k).
• Passport applications — some branches are official passport acceptance facilities. KCPL Central is. Call ahead.
• Citizenship preparation — free classes at most metro libraries.
• ESL classes — KCPL, KCKPL, and JoCo all offer English-language classes.
• Job-search help — résumé review, interview practice, computer training.
• Voter registration — election years, often onsite registrars.
• A place to be — heated/cooled, restrooms, water fountains, no purchase required. You do not have to buy anything to stay.

How to get a card if you don't have a permanent address

Some libraries accept a shelter address, a P.O. box, or a letter from a social worker. KCPL has explicit policies for unhoused patrons — ask at the Community Resources desk. JoCo and KCKPL similarly have alternatives. If you're refused, ask for a supervisor and ask what their policy is for people without a fixed address.