Midwest Genealogy Center

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Midwest Genealogy Center The Midwest Genealogy Center is one of the nation's preeminent resources for family history. The MGC

The branch offers customers a wide array of free resources and services—from books, movies, and music, available in both physical and streaming formats, to technology services, including in-branch public computers and Wi-Fi as well as Chromebooks and internet hotspots available for checkout. MCPL also offers free access to many online research and learning resources, online classes and tutoring services, and digital versions of popular publications such as The Kansas City Star and other daily newspapers. Customers may browse for materials, reserve meeting rooms, and attend in-person programs for all ages.

MGC Book Treasures ~ Need help translating Polish, Russian, Latin, or German documents? This 4 volume series may be ve...
10/22/2026

MGC Book Treasures ~ Need help translating Polish, Russian, Latin, or German documents? This 4 volume series may be very helpful to reference. Though they are "reference only" books, you can call us to look in them for you! See the online catalog record here: https://mymcpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S110C292891

Kids Tour of MGC ~ Don't miss the topograpic/relief maps in the oversize/map room upstairs! Kids can see and gently touc...
10/21/2026

Kids Tour of MGC ~ Don't miss the topograpic/relief maps in the oversize/map room upstairs! Kids can see and gently touch the raised up mountains graphically as compared to the valleys. They reside in drawers on your left when you enter that space at MGC. These photos show areas surrounding Lynchburg VA and Staunton VA. Grown-up kids would like seeing them, too!

For online examples you can look here: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/national-geospatial-program/topographic-maps

We appreciate the good comments and kudos we receive from you! Sharing one here!
10/19/2026

We appreciate the good comments and kudos we receive from you! Sharing one here!

Join us NEXT SATURDAY, October 24th, at the Midwest Genealogy Center for an In Conversation With event featuring genealo...
10/17/2026

Join us NEXT SATURDAY, October 24th, at the Midwest Genealogy Center for an In Conversation With event featuring genealogist and author Kathleen R. Brandt and genealogist Kim Alberg. They'll discuss Kathleen's work, her experiences researching military history, and her book, Behind the Uniform, Volume 1: Early Wars, which explores military service and research from the French and Indian War through the Civil War.

Following the conversation, stay for a book signing and meet Kathleen!
Register Here: https://www.mymcpl.org/events/122345/conversation-kathleen-brandt-behind-uniform-every-soldier-has-story

Google Earth has some great genealogical tricks up its sleeve. A bunch of ideas about that here: https://memoracy.com/po...
10/16/2026

Google Earth has some great genealogical tricks up its sleeve. A bunch of ideas about that here: https://memoracy.com/posts/google-earth-for-genealogy

Word on the street (from Google) though says that "Google Earth Pro on desktop will no longer be available for download beginning June 25, 2027." But take heart, there is an online web version available, too. Link to that: https://earth.google.com/web/

10/15/2026

Microfilm or microfiche — which one have you come across? 🎞️ Microfilm stores records on a roll, while microfiche keeps them on flat sheets. Both pack a whole lot of history into a tiny space! Have you used either one? Tell us in the comments 👇

We've got huge collections of both! See the holdings guides here (scroll down): https://www.mymcpl.org/genealogy/special-collections/material-collections

You can’t always judge a book by its cover—or its title! Check out this 8-volume set of books titled “Come and Spit on t...
10/14/2026

You can’t always judge a book by its cover—or its title! Check out this 8-volume set of books titled “Come and Spit on the Floor and Make Yourself at Home.” Behind the quirky title is a detailed history of Independence and Jackson County, Missouri, compiled from news stories published in the Jackson Examiner.

Don't let a strange title fool you—this series might hold the exact local context (or even a direct mention!) you've been searching for. You can check out the details on the MCPL catalog: https://mymcpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S110C57177

Join this expert roundtable, where participants rotate between tables led by specialists in accounting, taxes, legal, co...
10/06/2026

Join this expert roundtable, where participants rotate between tables led by specialists in accounting, taxes, legal, coaching, information technology, and insurance. This program is funded by a grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. https://bit.ly/3VdY64d

🐴 Rain or shine, there’s always something happening at the library!Riverside Branch patrons braved the rainy weather for...
10/06/2026

🐴 Rain or shine, there’s always something happening at the library!

Riverside Branch patrons braved the rainy weather for a special visit with Phantom. They got to meet Phantom up close, help groom him, and learn all about horses. 🐎💙

Missed out? Don’t worry! Phantom will be making more library visits soon at our Claycomo and Dearborn branches. Register: https://bit.ly/4wIIlzj

Meet political machine boss Tom Pendergast, brought to life by local historian Bill Nicks! Learn about “Boss Tom’s” earl...
10/05/2026

Meet political machine boss Tom Pendergast, brought to life by local historian Bill Nicks! Learn about “Boss Tom’s” early life, businesses, ties to criminals and Truman, prison sentence, and more in this fascinating look at Kansas City history. https://bit.ly/4yusjea

10/05/2026

Finally, our time to shine. Do you have a question? We’ve got answers! 📚✨
Seasoned librarians are always ready to put their expertise to work. 🔎

September was full of fun at the Grain Valley Branch! 🍂 From an egg plate collection and Monet-inspired art to learning ...
10/04/2026

September was full of fun at the Grain Valley Branch! 🍂 From an egg plate collection and Monet-inspired art to learning about local bats, tea drinks, and fall crafts, there was something for everyone! 🎨🦇🫖

Find more programs at mymcpl.org/Programs

Join The Story Center at MCPL for a series of podcasting programs with the Producer of Drafting the Past, Kate Carpenter...
10/03/2026

Join The Story Center at MCPL for a series of podcasting programs with the Producer of Drafting the Past, Kate Carpenter! Over the course of three programs this month, learn about the art of storytelling in podcasts, tools and techniques for starting your podcast, and brainstorm some ideas for your next project. Register: https://bit.ly/4xTLWLx

What an unforgettable evening with acclaimed author Tayari Jones at our Woodneath Library Center! 📚✨Heartland Book Fest ...
10/03/2026

What an unforgettable evening with acclaimed author Tayari Jones at our Woodneath Library Center! 📚✨

Heartland Book Fest welcomed the New York Times bestselling author for a thoughtful and engaging conversation about her latest novel, Kin, with Susan B. Wilson, retired chancellor of diversity and inclusion at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Thank you to everyone who joined us! ❤️

Apparently, everyone loves a good book—even the ones who prefer their stories a little on the wild side.From curious cri...
10/02/2026

Apparently, everyone loves a good book—even the ones who prefer their stories a little on the wild side.
From curious critters browsing the shelves to furry friends checking out the reading nook, it’s been a wild time at the East Independence Branch over the last couple of years!

Celebrate World Vegetarian Day by discovering delicious new possibilities beyond meat! Explore the Universal Class onlin...
10/01/2026

Celebrate World Vegetarian Day by discovering delicious new possibilities beyond meat! Explore the Universal Class online course, Vegetarian Living: Discover the World Beyond Meat, and learn practical ways to build flavorful, balanced vegetarian meals. Start your journey today! https://bit.ly/2AODplE

10/01/2026

Who's the real hero? The readers who checked out all these books... or the staff who make sure every one of them finds its way back to the shelf? We'll let you decide. This summer, our community logged 1,251,461 days of reading. Every day started with a book finding its way into a reader's hands - and every one eventually comes home.

Address

3440 S. Lee's Summit Road
Independence, MO
64055

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 8pm
Tuesday 10am - 8pm
Wednesday 10am - 8pm
Thursday 10am - 8pm
Friday 10am - 8pm
Saturday 10am - 8pm
Sunday 1pm - 8pm

Telephone

+18162527228

Website

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