Storytimes near Antioch Central Branch Library

Although the land we call Kansas has changed greatly since 1776, it was already a dynamic cultural and environmental landscape before the “Founding Fathers” forged a new nation. Human activities and natural process alike had transformed Kansas over the course of millennia as a changing climate, Indigenous burning practices, dynamic waterways and other developments shaped and reshaped what became the Sunflower State. Presented by Adam Hodge, head of reference at the Kansas State Historical Society in Topeka. He has a Ph.D. in history with a specialization in environmental and Indigenous history of the North American West. This program will be hosted on Zoom. Register to receive further instructions. No software download or account is required.

Small Towns and Big Secrets: In Conversation with Bestselling Author Karin Slaughter Join us for a thrilling evening with acclaimed author Karin Slaughter as we chat about her North Falls series, consisting of " We Are All Guilty Here ", in which two teenage girls vanish in rural Georgia, and her upcoming sequel, " The Secrets We Hide: A North Falls Thriller ". In The Secrets We Hide, Slaughter welcomes readers back to North Falls. A small town with big secrets… 1601 Iris Drive looks like any other house on the quiet, residential street. But rumors are rampant about the Vickery family, and what goes on behind closed doors. When gunshots ring out, Sheriff Emmy Clifton and her sister, ex-federal agent Jude Archer, discover a devastating crime scene. Allison Vickery has been murdered in her own kitchen, and her teenage daughter is bleeding upstairs, left for dead. Everyone thinks they know what happened. But secrets are buried everywhere in this small town. And it’s up to Emmy Clifton to uncover the truth… Register now to take part in the discussion, and for an exclusive sneak peek of The Secrets We Hide, coming out August 11, 2026! Enjoy this and a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders covering a broad spectrum of genres and topics and featuring interactive Q&A sessions (questions can be submitted in advance upon registration), presented by the Library Speakers Consortium. Presentation will be recorded and available after the event.  See all author and expert presentations, both upcoming and previously recorded »

Migrant Heart: The Hidden Cost of the American Dream and Healing Through Storytelling with Reyna Grande In her ambitious new memoir, " Migrant Heart: Essays About Things I Can't Forget ", beloved bestselling author Reyna Grande illuminates the hidden cost of the American Dream and the complex journey of healing that follows survival. What is the true power of stories? Can they heal the jagged edges of a traumatic childhood? Is the cost of telling the story worth the price of the cure? With her signature blend of sophistication and raw honesty, Grande interrogates how living between two nations, two languages, and two identities has shaped the woman, mother, and writer she has become. Moving from the legacy of violence in her hometown of Iguala, Mexico, to a bittersweet family vacation in Europe spent reconciling her own impoverished past with her children’s world of abundance, she uncovers startling truths about the nature of survival. Whether being racially profiled in the Arizona borderlands or finding unexpected wisdom from the slugs in her garden, Grande unflinchingly asks: How do we bridge the gap between who we were and who we have become? How do we turn pain into power? When memory threatens to define us, how can we use story to heal while still honoring our boundaries? Register today for this virtual talk if you identify as a seeker, a dreamer, or “anyone who believes in the enduring, transformative power of finding one’s voice.” Enjoy this and a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders covering a broad spectrum of genres and topics and featuring interactive Q&A sessions (questions can be submitted in advance upon registration), presented by the Library Speakers Consortium. Presentation will be recorded and available after the event.  See all author and expert presentations, both upcoming and previously recorded »

Build confidence using English in a friendly, supportive setting. This conversation-focused meetup is designed for English language learners who want to practice speaking, listening and everyday communication while meeting new people. All levels are welcome, and curiosity is encouraged. Registration is required to receive a Zoom link. This program will be hosted on Zoom. Library staff will email registrants the day before with access instructions. No software download or account is required.

In " All Systems Red ", a self-hacked security android wants autonomy, privacy and uninterrupted access to its favorite shows — but keeps getting pulled into human crises instead. Smart, funny and unexpectedly tender, the first book in “The Murderbot Diaries” explores agency, connection and what it means to choose care.  Need a copy? Regular print copies are available for registrants. Browse the collection for other formats.

Obsessed with books? Join other readers ages 9-13 for lively Zoom discussions led by a Library staff member. Each month, we’ll dive into a new title, share ideas, talk about characters and build community through stories. Space is limited, so registration is required for each discussion. Registration opens six weeks before the program and closes one week prior. Copies are available while supplies last. After sign-up, staff will email registrants to confirm which branch to send the book to and again the day before the meeting with access instructions. No software download or account is needed. July – Sybil Ludington : Revolutionary War Rider by E.F. Abbott

Enjoy a genealogy program and connect with Johnson County Genealogical Society members about your family history research. Free and open to the public. Topics include: May: Search Angel Group: Genetic Genealogist Who Works with DNA to Solve Biological Mysteries – Retta Whinnery June: Church Records – Candy Novak, Midwest Genealogy Center July (Online Only): Beyond Names and Dates: Filling in the Stories of Our Female Ancestors – Pam Vestal Aug: Meet Dwight D. Eisenhower – Bill Nicks, HistoryKC.com

The Power of Connection: Creating Lasting Friendships in an Increasingly Lonely World with Dr. Marisa Franco Join us in virtual conversation with bestselling author Dr. Marisa Franco, one of the world’s leading experts in human connection. Her book, " Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make–And Keep–Friends ", explores the science of different attachment styles and how they impact our relationships–often in ways we don’t realize! How do we make and keep friends in an era of distraction, burnout, and chaos, especially in a society that often prizes romantic love at the expense of other relationships? In Platonic, Dr. Marisa G. Franco unpacks the latest, often counterintuitive findings about the bonds between us—for example, why your friends aren’t texting you back (it’s not because they hate you!), and the myth of “friendships happening organically” (making friends, like cultivating any relationship, requires effort!). As Dr. Franco explains, to make and keep friends you must understand your attachment style—secure, anxious, or avoidant: it is the key to unlocking what’s working (and what’s failing) in your friendships. Making new friends, and deepening longstanding relationships, is possible at any age—in fact, it’s essential. The good news: there are specific, research-based ways to improve the number and quality of your connections using the insights of attachment theory and the latest scientific research on friendship. Platonic provides a clear and actionable blueprint for forging strong, lasting connections with others—and for becoming our happiest, most fulfilled selves in the process. Register today to learn more about how to harness the science of human connection to create cultures of belonging. Enjoy this and a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders covering a broad spectrum of genres and topics and featuring interactive Q&A sessions (questions can be submitted in advance upon registration), presented by the Library Speakers Consortium. Presentation will be recorded and available after the event.  See all author and expert presentations, both upcoming and previously recorded »

Join our online Teen Book Club and connect with other readers. Each month on Monday evenings, we’ll explore a new title ranging from bestselling teen books to graphic novels. Share your thoughts, ask questions and dive into a thrilling story. A staff member will lead the discussion on Zoom. Johnson County participants will receive a copy about a month before the meeting. Registration is required. Upcoming titles: August – Lafayette! by Nathan Hale

The Legacy of Julia Child's Kitchen with Smithsonian Curator Paula J. Johnson Join us for a conversation that’s sure to warm your heart (and make your stomach rumble), as we delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson, author of " Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space ". The book includes interviews with chefs who knew Julia well, commentary on her favorite culinary tools and kitchen gadgets, and a stunning array of photos. Julia Child's 20’ x 14’ kitchen was a serious workspace and recipe‑testing lab that exuded a sense of mid‑century homey comfort. It has been on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., for most of the past twenty-three years, and museum goers have made it a top destination. The kitchen contains more than one thousand parts and pieces—tools, appliances, utensils, furniture, artwork, knick‑knacks, books, and bits of whimsy—all reflecting Julia’s status as an accomplished chef, gastronome, delightful cooking teacher, television trailblazer, women’s advocate, mentor, and generous, jovial friend. Julia Child’s Kitchen (and this online conversation) is a must‑have for every serious home cook and Julia Child fan. Register now to enter the discussion and learn more about how Julia Child continues to influence food today! Enjoy this and a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders covering a broad spectrum of genres and topics and featuring interactive Q&A sessions (questions can be submitted in advance upon registration), presented by the Library Speakers Consortium. Presentation will be recorded and available after the event.  See all author and expert presentations, both upcoming and previously recorded »

Build confidence using English in a friendly, supportive setting. This conversation-focused meetup is designed for English language learners who want to practice speaking, listening and everyday communication while meeting new people. All levels are welcome, and curiosity is encouraged. Registration is required to receive a Zoom link. This program will be hosted on Zoom. Library staff will email registrants the day before with access instructions. No software download or account is required.

Brooks explores the art of truly knowing others in an age of surface relationships — arguing that depth, caring and vulnerability are radicals in our time. It’s part memoir, part reflection: a call to cultivate a generative inner life alongside relationships grounded in authenticity.  Need a copy? Regular print copies are available for registrants. Browse the collection for other formats.

Obsessed with books? Join other readers ages 9-13 for lively Zoom discussions led by a Library staff member. Each month, we’ll dive into a new title, share ideas, talk about characters and build community through stories. Space is limited, so registration is required for each discussion. Registration opens six weeks before the program and closes one week prior. Copies are available while supplies last. After sign-up, staff will email registrants to confirm which branch to send the book to and again the day before the meeting with access instructions. No software download or account is needed. August – Borders by Thomas King and Natasha Donovan

A nation or state’s founding documents speak to the values and aspirations of its people and, at a functional level, outline the operations of government. For the United States, these are the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. For Kansas, the 1859 Wyandotte Constitution qualifies. It stipulated the form of government, a bill of rights and systems for elections, education, public institutions and even the formation of counties and townships. This talk will explore the key components of the Wyandotte Constitution and look at other foundational documents in the state’s history. It will also explore modifications to the constitution to expand the role of government and individual rights over 160 years of statehood. Presented by Virgil Dean, retired consulting editor and former editor of “Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains.” This program will be hosted on Zoom. Register to receive further instructions. No software download or account is required.

When Trees Testify: Reclaiming America’s Black Botanical Legacy with Beronda Montgomery Join us for a riveting conversation with award-winning biologist Beronda Montgomery as we discuss her book, When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy . The histories of trees in America are also the histories of Black Americans. Pecan trees were domesticated by an enslaved African named Antoine; sycamore trees were both havens and signposts for people trying to escape enslavement; poplar trees are historically associated with lynching; and willow bark has offered the gift of medicine. These trees, and others, testify not only to the complexity of the Black American narrative but also to a heritage of Black botanical expertise that, like Native American traditions, predates the United States entirely. In When Trees Testify, award-winning plant biologist Beronda L. Montgomery explores the ways seven trees, as well as the cotton shrub, are intertwined with Black history and culture. She reveals how knowledge surrounding these trees has shaped America since the very beginning. As Montgomery shows, trees are material witnesses to the lives of enslaved Africans and their descendants. Combining the wisdom of science and history with stories from her own path to botany, Montgomery talks to majestic trees, and in this unique and compelling narrative, they answer. Register today for this insightful discussion about Black history and botanical mastery. Enjoy this and a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders covering a broad spectrum of genres and topics and featuring interactive Q&A sessions (questions can be submitted in advance upon registration), presented by the Library Speakers Consortium. Presentation will be recorded and available after the event.  See all author and expert presentations, both upcoming and previously recorded »

High Altitudes and High Stakes: A Miss Marple Mystery with Lucy Foley, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of " The Guest List " and " The Midnight Feast " Join us for a thrilling conversation with acclaimed author Lucy Foley as we delve into her brand-new Miss Marple mystery, "Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel". High in the Swiss Alps, accessible only by a single, winding railway, stands the luxurious Grand Alpine Hotel. With glorious mountain views and exclusive access to powdery slopes, it draws guests from far and wide. The notorious actress. The high-flying politician. The society wife. The reckless friend. The shrewd doctor. But not everyone is here for a winter holiday. Beneath the champagne and furs, dark histories simmer; old grudges emerge like cracks in the ice. And someone is watching from the shadows. A polite, unassuming woman with an extraordinary mind: Miss Marple. When a body is found and a blizzard cuts off all escape, only Miss Marple can connect the clues before the killer strikes again. Because it isn’t a question of who has a motive, but who’s next… Enjoy this and a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders covering a broad spectrum of genres and topics and featuring interactive Q&A sessions (questions can be submitted in advance upon registration), presented by the Library Speakers Consortium. Presentation will be recorded and available after the event.  See all author and expert presentations, both upcoming and previously recorded »