The Linda Hall Library is entering a new era — evolving from a traditional research library into a fully-fledged cultural institution where curiosity thrives. As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we’re embracing a mission that makes science and knowledge accessible to everyone: families, students, professionals, and anyone who wonders how the world works. This transformation honors our founders’ vision while looking boldly to the future.
When Linda and Herbert Hall endowed a library in 1938, they didn’t dictate its mission. They simply created an opportunity — trusting it would provide a real benefit to Kansas City.
That trust has shaped an institution that, since 1946, has evolved in ways the founders might never have imagined. Over time, thoughtful curation has built a world-class scientific collection, attracting scholars from across the globe and inspiring Kansas Citians to deepen their understanding of the world we share. The Library has become a place where scientific history lives alongside the future of our field, and the city has gained a resource of genuine international significance.
As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, our legacy gives us solid grounding in the history of science. And we fit in well — serious scholarship has always been part of Kansas City’s cultural life. Yet history alone cannot define what the Linda Hall is becoming. The world around us is changing, and so are the needs and expectations of the people we serve. Today, knowledge is for all who ask the questions and seek to understand the world around them. While the Library meets this moment, we continue to protect the rare materials that form the backbone of our identity, yet we also invite people to encounter those ideas in increasingly engaging ways. Exhibitions now play a more central role in this work. They allow us to share the beauty, ingenuity and human story behind scientific discovery. They create immersive spaces where visitors can learn by exploring. They foster imagination that might trigger the next researcher, or the next artist, to pursue a rich career.
We are developing programs that broaden the ages of people we engage. Families now find opportunities to experience science together in ways that feel accessible. Visitors who might have felt hesitant to approach a research library discover that they are not only welcome but that what’s inside exists for them. The collection is a starting point for curiosity.
Changes in our facility are set to reinforce this shift. The arboretum still offers a peaceful setting, yet it is taking on a new role as a place where people can connect with the natural world and understand the relationship between science and everyday life. Visitors experience it as both a collection and a landscape, with a sense of discovery that begins outdoors and continues inside.
This evolution reflects our belief that stories are more impactful when they’re more relevant. The direction of our growth recognizes that a modern research library must participate in the cultural life of its city. It also acknowledges that the region is ready for an institution that treats science as something beautiful, creative, and connected to our lived experience. Our aim is to offer a place where people feel comfortable asking questions, learn at their own pace, and enjoy a deep connection to critical inquiry.
Our anniversary year gives us an opportunity to honor our past and look forward with excitement toward our future. The celebration will recognize the strength of our collection and the dedication that built it. It will also acknowledge the momentum that now guides us and the new audiences who have begun to discover the Library. We believe that growth strengthens the institution and expands its value for the city.
Kansas City has always championed creativity and learning, and the Linda Hall Library now amplifies that spirit with renewed energy. Our exhibitions ignite imagination and invite discovery. Our programs support families who want to learn together. Our campus offers spaces for reflection and delight. Rooted in our world-class collection and deeply connected to the city, we are shaping a place where curiosity thrives.
–Eric Dorfman, President, Linda Hall Library
Eighty years ago, our founders trusted future generations to shape their gift wisely. Today, we honor that trust by shaping an institution that looks outward as much as inward. This anniversary celebrates everything we’ve been and everything we’re becoming. Join us as we shape the next era of discovery together.
