2021
Missouri Library Association Literary Award
Mid-Continent Public Library’s in-house publishing imprint, Woodneath Press, was awarded the Missouri Library Association’s 2021 Literary Award for its Curating Home, an anthology of works by local poets collected to commemorate the Missouri bicentennial. The project was funded in part by the William T. Kemper Foundation, and co-edited by José Faus, Marianne Kunkel, and Glenn North.
2020
Repository of the Year Award
The Midwest Genealogy Center at Mid-Continent Public Library was awarded the 2020 Repository of the Year Award by the Federation of Genealogical Societies for its exceptional impact and contribution to the genealogy community, preservation of records, access to records, technology advances, and other services to family history.
Missouri Parks and Recreation Award
Mid-Continent Public Library was recognized by the Missouri Parks and Recreation Association for its ongoing partnership with the Lee's Summit Parks and Recreation Department. The Library’s branches often partner with Lee's Summit Parks and Recreation to provide community programming and services.
2019
Best of the Northland Award
Mid-Continent Public Library’s Kearney, Woodneath, and Liberty Branches were awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, respectively, in the library category of the Courier Tribune and Gladstone Dispatch’s annual “Best of Northland” awards.
Clay County EDC’s Keystone Awards Honoree
Mid-Continent Public Library was recognized by the Clay County Economic Development Council for its work renovating its Antioch, Claycomo, Kearney, and Excelsior Springs Branches as part of its Capital Improvement Plan. MCPL was among five public projects honored for helping to make Clay County a better place to live and work.
2018
iFamilyKC Readers' Favorite
Mid-Continent Public Library was recognized as the "Library with the Best Children's Programs" by iFamilyKC readers as part of their 2018 Readers' Favorites Awards. Winners were selected among hundreds of nominations by thousands of metro voters.
2017
Nonprofit Business of the Year Award
Mid-Continent Public Library was awarded the Nonprofit Business of the Year Award by the Independence EDC on Thursday, April 13, 2017, at the Stoney Creek Conference Center.
2017 IngramSpark Ignite Award
Mid-Continent Public Library's Woodneath Press received an IngramSpark Ignite Award for "Best Practices in Community Engagement" in 2017. The award was bestowed after the Woodneath Press released The First Beverly Hillbilly.
2017 Gale Cengage Financial Development Award
MCPL’s Library Lovers program was selected as the winner of the 2017 Gale Cengage Financial Development Award. This award recognizes libraries for innovations in fundraising efforts.
2016
101 Best Websites for Genealogy
In 2016, Midwest Genealogy Center was included among Family Tree Magazine’s list of 101 Best Websites for Genealogy. This designation was awarded, in large part, due to the recently added Genealogy Quick Look Index, which offers users access to more than 1.5 million pension records from the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board.
iNpact Award
MCPL’s South Independence Branch was bestowed an iNpact award from the Independence Economic Development Council for making “significant positive economic impacts” in the community through its programs, services, and resources.
Community Partner Award
Smithville Elementary School awarded MCPL’s Smithville Branch the Community Partner Award for the 2015-16 school year for providing resources and services that support local educators in their efforts to help kids become strong readers and lifelong learners.
2015
Heartland Corporate Citizen of the Year
Truman Heartland Community Foundation is a public charity committed to improving area communities by promoting and serving private giving for the public good.
Ford Next Generation Learning Award
MCPL received the Ford Next Generation Learning Award for its efforts working with the Independence School District and other organizations on the Ford Next Generation Learning Career Academies.
2014
IMLS National Medal for Museum and Library Service Award
MCPL was awarded the Institute of Museum and Library Service National Medal in 2014. IMLS awards the medal to libraries who “demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service, exceeding the expected levels of community outreach.” There are 10,000 public libraries in the United States and MCPL was one of five awarded the national medal in 2014.
The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for service to the community. The medal was presented by First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House on May 8, 2014. Library Director and CEO Steven V. Potter received the medal on MCPL's behalf.
2014 Clay County Economic Development Council Keystone Special Consideration Award
The Clay County EDC recognized Mid-Continent Public Library's Square One Small Business Services division for bringing the Kauffman Foundation's nationally popular 1 Million Cups program to local entrepreneurs via live streaming. The 1 Million Cups program features presentations by innovative business professionals, which live stream attendees can learn from and discuss with other local entrepreneurs.
Resolution from Kansas City, MO
The City of Kansas City recognized Mid-Continent Public Library for being one of 10 recipients of the 2014 National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, D.C. MCPL was awarded the medal for demonstrating innovative approaches to public service and exceeding the expected levels of community outreach.
Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting 2013
The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program (CAFR Program) recognizes state and local governments that go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that demonstrate the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.
2014 Business of the Year - Excelsior Springs Chamber of Commerce
MCPL Excelsior Springs Branch was named the 2014 Business of the Year by the Excelsior Springs Chamber of Commerce in the Medium-Sized Business Category. The award was accepted by the Excelsior Springs Branch Manager, Stephen Chalmers.
Virginia Young Award
Mid-Continent Public Library Board Member Brent Schondelmeyer was named the Virginia G. Young Outstanding Service Award winner for 2014 by the Missouri Library Association (MLA). The Virginia G. Young Outstanding Service Award recognizes an individual trustee for exemplary service to libraries in Missouri. MLA awarded Virginia G. Young the inaugural Outstanding Service Award in 1994 and named it in her honor.
Lee's Summit Reading Council of International Reading Association Literacy Award
The Colbern Road Branch won the 2014 Lee’s Summit Reading Council IRA Literacy Award for its work at Meadow Lane Elementary.
2013
Kansas City Business Journal ImpacT Award
Mid-Continent Public Library was honored by the Kansas City Business Journal with an ImpacT Award under the Client Interface category for working with the Truman Heartland Foundation to create CareConnection. CareConnection is an online directory of resources designed as a free community service to link older adults and caregivers of older adults to high-quality information.
John Cotton Dana Award
Mid-Continent Public Library was bestowed the John Cotton Dana Award, the most prestigious award of the American Library Association, for outstanding library public relations. The award is presented by the American Library Association in conjunction with the H.W. Wilson Foundation and EBSCO Publishing. Winners of the John Cotton Dana Award receive recognition as well as a cash award.
Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting 2012
The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program (CAFR Program) recognizes state and local governments that go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that demonstrate the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.
Urban Libraries Council 2013 Innovation Initiatives Honorable Mention
The Urban Libraries Council recognized MCPL with an Honorable Mention among the 2013 Innovation Initiatives. MCPL was recognized for its submission, “Rebranding to Remain Relevant: It’s All About Access.”
University of Missouri-Columbia College of Education - Outstanding Achievement Award
Steven V. Potter earned this esteemed award for his hard work expanding educational opportunities for Library users by providing library and information services in a variety of settings.
2012
Cintas Environmental Award
Mid-Continent Public Library received an Environmental Award from the Cintas Document Management Company. The award acknowledged MCPL saving 1,122 trees, 25,082 gallons of oil, and 462,035 gallons of water, totaling 198 cubic yards of landfill.
OverDrive 2012 Outreach Program Grand Prize Winner
OverDrive is the leading digital distributor of eBooks, eAudiobooks, music, and video for schools, libraries, and retailers. MCPL won for its outreach efforts in promoting eBooks to its community.
Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting 2011
The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program (CAFR Program) recognizes state and local governments that go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that demonstrate the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.
2011
CFO of the Year
MCPL’s Finance and Facilities Director, Qun Fang, was honored in the nonprofit division of the Kansas City Business Journal’s CFO of the Year awards.
Kansas City Business Journal ImpacT Award - Client Interface
Mid-Continent Public Library was honored by the Kansas City Business Journal with an ImpacT Award under the client interface category for its Library-To-Go locations.
The ImpacT Awards program recognizes valuable contributions made by local businesses that affect their internal operations, efficiency, and financial performance through the use of new or existing technology. MCPL received the award for expanding its ability to meet customer needs by using technology to install three unstaffed Library-To-Go locations.