A New Director Takes Over As The Kansas City Public Library Copes With Pandemic Uncertainty Listen Ways To Subscribe Apple Spotify Laura Spencer / KCUR 89.3Earlier this summer, Kansas City library staffers visited with patrons at Swope Park. John Herron succeeds Crosby Kemper III at a time when the library's public events and finances have taken a hit. He comes from UMKC, where he was the interim dean of the the College of Arts and Science.John Herron, director of the Kansas City Public Library