Up To Date

A New Director Takes Over As The Kansas City Public Library Copes With Pandemic Uncertainty

By Steve Kraske,

Danie Alexander, Mackenzie Martin

Published July 13, 2020 at 5:20 PM CDT

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Kansas City Library staffers wait for patrons at Swope Park as part of their Pop In at the Park program at area parks. — Earlier 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

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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Mackenzie Martin

Mackenzie Martin is a senior podcast producer at KCUR Studios and host of the podcast, A People's History of Kansas City. Contact her at mackenzie@kcur.org.

See stories by Mackenzie Martin