Merriam Plaza Library, 6120 Slater St., officially opens to the public following a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. Wednesday. The new branch is replacing the historic Antioch Library nearby, which was the original branch in the Johnson County Library system.
The $13.68 million, 15,000-square-foot Merriam Plaza Library branch features a “front-porch” entrance with seating facing the Merriam Community Center courtyard and an eco-friendly roof with 7,000 native plantings.
There are also nods to the old Antioch branch, including reading nooks and drywall signed by patrons
Interior and exterior public art pieces, one of which honors a Merriam family who was central to the fight to desegregate schools, also are featured.
County Librarian Tricia Suellentrop told the Post that she hopes longtime community members see the connection to the beloved Antioch Library, which served the county for more than 60 years.
“I really want them to see this as a jewel in their community,” Suellentrop said. “I want the jewel to not only be the library, but also this campus. Co-locating with city services, a community center, only benefits the community at large.”
Here’s a sneak peek inside the Merriam Plaza Library before it opens Wednesday:
Never miss a story about your community
See for yourself why more than 50,000 Johnson Countians signed up for our newsletter. Get our latest headlines delivered for FREE to your inbox each weekday.
The drive-thru at Merriam Plaza Library. Patrons can pick up holds or drop off returns here. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.County Librarian Tricia Suellentrop said an important part of the design of the new library is to connect patrons to the community center, both visually and physically. Above, the Merriam Community Center as seen from the front of the new library. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.Guests are immediately met with the help desk and a complete view of the library after walking inside. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.The Webb Family Meeting Room is one of three meeting rooms named after people in the library system, Suellentrop said. The room honors Mary and Alfonso Webb, a Merriam couple whose 1949 lawsuit to desegregate South Park School near Merriam helped paved the way for the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka decision. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.Suellentrop said former county commission chair Ed Eilert told library staff several years ago that the Webb family’s impact on history needed to be highlighted at the new library branch. After discussions and connecting with the Webb family, Suellentrop said the library decided to honor the family through a mural in the meeting room. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.The four-wall mural was designed by local artist Emily Alvarez. Suellentrop said members of the Webb family have already seen — and are approving of — the mural, and will be present during the ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.There are nooks near the adult section of the library, most of which feature desks and chairs in front of windows. Suellentrop said the nooks throughout the new branch mirror those at Antioch Library. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.The computer area near the adult section at Merriam Plaza Library is open to the public. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.There are two study rooms at Merriam Plaza Library, each of which can sit up to four people, Suellentrop said. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.The furniture placed throughout the library is intended to fit a variety of abilities and bodies, Suellentrop said. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.The children’s area at Merriam Plaza Library, like the area at Antioch Library, features an early learning corner. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.Shelving height was taken into consideration at the Merriam Plaza Library, as well. The tallest shelves are about 60 inches. Above, shelves for the youngest readers. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.There are several nooks near the children’s area at Merriam Plaza Library for kids and families to enjoy. This is also a nod to Antioch Library’s reading nooks, Suellentrop said. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.Each restroom at Merriam Plaza Library features “Winnie the Pooh” wallpaper and fun colors to make the restroom experience enjoyable, Suellentrop said. Photo credit Juliana Garcia.
👋 Hi! I’m Juliana Garcia, and I cover Prairie Village and northeast Johnson County for the Johnson County Post.
I grew up in Roeland Park and graduated from Shawnee Mission North before going on to the University of Kansas, where I wrote for the University Daily Kansan and earned my bachelor’s degree in journalism. Prior to joining the Post in 2019, I worked as an intern at the Kansas City Business Journal.
