Editorial: Needed upgrades in libraries

The $3.6 million worth of improvements made at Johnson County’s Central Resource Library will serve the public for years to come.

And looking ahead, the county correctly has decided to spend a little more in public revenues to expand its nationally respected, award-winning system.

Revamped portions of the central library at 9875 W. 87th St. in Overland Park will open to the public on Friday.

As The Star explains, the library still contains plenty of books but also will serve users in many other good ways.

The building will have more space that can be used for community meetings of up to 150 people, for instance, as well as a new training lab with computers, more electrical outlets, brighter restrooms and a larger MakerSpace studio.

That workshop area, The Star said, “features equipment for 3D printing, audio and video recording, editing and working with electronics.”

This is an excellent way to offer modern, and often costly, technology equipment for the public’s benefit.

Last August, the Johnson County Commission also made the proper decision to continue reinvesting in better libraries.

The elected officials approved a slightly higher property tax, with the proceeds flowing toward better transit, parks and libraries.

Part of the library system’s master plan is to build a few new branches to serve the county’s growing population and to reinvest in existing branches.

Johnson Countians have received great benefits from a solid library system over the last several decades.

The recent improvements at the Central Resource Library — plus the decision to make additional upgrades in coming years — are excellent ways to maintain a high quality of life in the county.

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 2:51 PM with the headline "Editorial: Needed upgrades in libraries."