By Elissa Andre

After just over a year of construction, the new Merriam Plaza Library (6120 Slater St.) is nearing completion with the arrival of the new year.

The Antioch Library (8700 Shawnee Mission Pkwy.) will permanently close as of Jan. 29, 2024 ahead of Merriam Plaza’s spring 2024 opening in order to transfer materials and staff to the new branch.

During the transition, please visit one of our other locations for Library services. The Cedar Roe or Central Resource branches are the closest in proximity. Patrons who have Antioch selected as a holds pickup location will receive additional communication in advance of closure.

The Antioch Library been a fixture in the Merriam community for more than 60 years. It was the first official Johnson County Library branch and served as library headquarters until 1995. Though beloved, the aging facility has limited parking and would require costly repairs to remain usable.

The new Merriam Plaza Library is built in partnership with the city of Merriam on the Merriam Community Center campus. The two facilities will share the parking structure and opportunities for programming in the outdoor plaza.

The 15,000-square-foot branch was designed using feedback from the community. Visitors will find cozy reading nooks in the kids’ section, a convenient drive-thru, a large meeting room to host the popular Storytime program and other events, plus two study rooms and a variety of seating options across the branch.

A green roof features more than 7,000 plantings of native vegetation, which will attract pollinators and preserve the roof’s lifespan. Spacious windows allow in natural light, and a covered front porch provides a welcoming outdoor gathering spot.

The library’s exterior features large metal sculptures of wildflowers designed by artist Sage Vaughn, and the building’s meeting room includes a four-wall mural by local designer Emily Alvarez.

The mural pays homage to the Alfonso and Mary Webb family, longtime Merriam residents whose 1949 lawsuit to desegregate Merriam schools laid the foundation for the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, and for whom the meeting room is also named.

Visit jocolibrary.org/merriam or pick up the Spring Library Guide at any of our 14 branches for more information about the project.

An exact date for Merriam Plaza Library’s ribbon-cutting celebration will be announced in early spring.

Elissa Andre is marketing and communications manager at Johnson County Library