Tale of 2 libraries: Lawrence vs. Topeka

LJWorld Reports On the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library vs. The Lawrence Public Library.

The differences are numerous.

In Lawrence, the 45,000-square-foot library has 270,000 materials and two meeting rooms, which sometimes double as gallery space. It was built in 1971.

In Topeka, a $23 million bond issue approved in August 1996 was used to renovate the old 68,000-square-foot library and build an additional 100,000 square feet of space. The spruced-up building opened in 2001; first lady Laura Bush visited in early 2002.