The Advanced Learning Library at 711 W. 2nd Street in Wichita replaced the old Central Branch location. This library is a great addition to Downtown Wichita, with neat indoor and outdoor spaces. It has cool new features that will make this library a place for the community to gather and collaborate.
Although the library looks much larger, it’s because the space is spread out across a large main level and a smaller second floor. The old Central Library had four floors. The library is just under 100,000 square feet.
The fiction and children’s areas of the library feels like a bookstore. The big difference, though, is that when you go up to the self-checkout you don’t have to pay anything. (Unless you owe late fees, I guess.)
About the Advanced Learning Library in Downtown Wichita:
- Watch the conveyor belt move returned library books and other materials to where they must go to get checked back in.
- Try out the library’s self-checkout stations. If you don’t have a library card, you can get one.
- Watch the 3-D printer make something in the TECnovation room
- Check out the kid’s area – it has an indoor storytime room and an outdoor courtyard.
- Also, in the Children’s Pavilion, step onto the interactive floor near the entrance to see what happens!
- Step outside onto the Reading Terrace on the second floor.
- Look at the collab rooms on the first floor; they’re like small conference rooms for a few people. One has a green screen, and you can record podcasts, videos, etc.
- Count all the charging stations and power outlets. Our phones will never have to die. 🙂
- Visit the video section if you like movies. They have shelves and shelves of movies that can be borrowed if you have a library card.
A few more noteworthy things about the library…
- in September 2023, they opened the “Family Place” space that families and caregivers of children 6 and under can enjoy. This area is for the little ones.
- There is a specially designed welcoming space for families with young children to explore, play, share books, and learn together.
- Collections of books, toys, music, and multimedia materials for babies, toddlers, parents and service providers
- Library staff specially trained in early literacy, child development, and family support.
- There is a drive-through area where you can not only return your library books but also pick them up!
- The collab rooms will be able to be checked out for two hours at a time.
- A big new conference room you can rent seats up to 100 people in each of the three sections. It has fancy new technology like infrared sound.
- The library has an area just for teens, with books and screens where they can play video games and study nooks.
On the second level, the library has a Historical Research Pavilion with photos, maps, genealogy information, microfilm, and a room for recording oral history.
A library section next to the Teen Pavilion is available for peer-to-peer learning. The seating in that area includes couches and chairs with desks so you can take notes.
Related:
How to read e-books for FREE from the Wichita Public Library
