Linda Hall Library

Linda Hall Library is one of the world’s largest independent libraries of science, engineering, and technology + a defining Kansas City research institution. Founded in 1956 from a bequest by Herbert F. Hall + his wife Linda Hall, the library serves researchers from around the world + maintains collections of historical scientific materials of international significance. Located in the Volker neighborhood adjacent to UMKC + the Nelson-Atkins Museum.

History

Founding (1956)

Linda Hall Library was founded by a bequest from Linda Hall (1859-1938) — wife of Herbert F. Hall — establishing the library as an independent science-and-technology research institution. The Hall family had been long-time Kansas City residents + the bequest specified KC as the library’s location.¹

The library opened to the public in 1956 at its current Volker neighborhood location, adjacent to the University of Kansas City (now UMKC).

Collection development (1956-present)

Across nearly 70 years, the library has built collections of:

• Science journals + serials — one of the most-comprehensive science-journal collections in the world
• Engineering + technology literature
• History of science + technology — including rare books + manuscripts dating to the 15th century
• Astronomy + space science — historically significant collections
• Geology + earth sciences
• Chemistry + physics
• Mathematics + computer science

The library’s collections are internationally significant + serve researchers worldwide.

Modern operations

Linda Hall Library today operates as:

• A free public research library (membership not required; collections accessible to public)
• A center for historical-research scholarship with major exhibitions + programming
• A digitization + open-access center making science-history materials available online
• An international research destination drawing scholars from worldwide

The library hosts:

• Major exhibitions featuring historic scientific materials
• Lectures + symposia on science + technology history
• Educational programming for KC schools + the broader community
• Research fellowships + scholarly residencies

Architecture

Modern style

The original 1956 building + subsequent expansions reflect modern + contemporary architecture appropriate to a research library. The building features:

• Modern-era construction
• Large reading rooms + collection storage
• Modern lighting + climate-control for collection preservation
• Adjacent grounds + arboretum

Cultural significance

Linda Hall Library represents Kansas City’s commitment to international-scale science + research infrastructure. The library’s status as one of the world’s largest independent science libraries + its international research role make it KC’s most-globally-recognized academic institution.

The library complements KC’s other Volker neighborhood institutions — the Nelson-Atkins Museum, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, and UMKC — establishing Volker as KC’s primary research + cultural neighborhood.

Visiting

• Address: 5109 Cherry St, Kansas City, MO 64110
• Public access: Free; open to the public
• Hours: Monday-Saturday (verify current schedule)
• Tours: Available
• Exhibitions: Multiple per year; free to public

Neighborhood context

• Neighborhood: Volker
• Adjacent landmarks: UMKC campus (south), Nelson-Atkins Museum (a short walk north), Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art (adjacent)

Sources

Footnotes

1. Wikipedia — “Linda Hall Library” entry. ↩