The Story Center Gallery at Mid-Continent Public Library (MCPL) is accepting submissions for a visual narrative exhibition. We are seeking original works of art with a story to tell. So, whether you photograph, paint, create digitally, or however you express visual narrative in the two-dimensional realm, we want to invite you to show your story. To be eligible to submit, artists must be cardholders of MCPL or other reciprocal library system.
Submissions through this form will be accepted through July 10 at 11:59pm CDT
The artist will be contacted by July 22nd to schedule the installation of their exhibit and date of their exhibition talk. Details of their talk and exhibition must be approved by August 10th. Exhibits will be installed beginning of December and uninstalled end of February.
Submission Guidelines
- Artists must meet eligibility requirements.
- There are no subject restrictions, but exhibits must be narrative driven.
- All works must be ready to hang with compatible hardware as outlined in the Story Center Gallery Dimensions & Hardware Specifications
For more information, please check out our website: https://www.mymcpl.org/services/story-center-visual-narrative-exhibition
Please contact Story Center Associate, Simaran Singh with any questions at ssingh@mymcpl.org
Hey prospective culinary programmer! We look forward to your detailed program submission. If you have any issues or questions regarding this from please email Culinary@mymcpl.org.
Calling all local Kansas City authors!
The Story Center at Mid-Continent Public Library is seeking authors in the greater Kansas City area to participate in our 12th annual Local Author Fair on Saturday, November 15, from 1:00-4:00 PM, in person at the Woodneath Library Center. Participating in this event helps authors develop readership, foster community, and connect with the library. Selected authors will receive their booth for free, which includes a 5x2 table and black tablecloth, and authors will manage their sales and keep all proceeds from the sale of their books.
All authors must submit an application during the submission period: Monday, July 7-Sunday, July 20. Entries received outside of this submission period will not be accepted.
The Local Author Fair features 50 authors. All submissions will be evaluated by a committee of Library employees, and we strive to curate a diverse and unique lineup.
What we are looking for:
- Authors with a local connection: Authors who live or work in the MCPL service area (Jackson, Clay, and Platte counties in Missouri) or a library district with which MCPL has a reciprocal agreement. See the full list below on this page under “Author Requirements.”
- New releases: Books that were published within the last three years. Books may be traditionally published, hybrid published, or self-published. Books must be published by the date of the Local Author Fair.
- Quality production: Books that are appropriate for inclusion in Mid-Continent Public Library’s collection (i.e. binding is library appropriate/no spiral binding, there is no attached media, the item has an ISBN, etc.). Books for sale must be registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. We are also looking for book covers and interiors that are professionally designed and edited books.
- Professionalism: A clear author headshot, a website and/or social media presence, and engagement with readers and the writing community beyond sales.
In addition to the above criteria for individual applications, we will weigh the body of tentatively accepted authors as a whole to ensure a variety of genres, subjects, voices, and perspectives are represented at the fair. Space is limited, so some authors who fit the criteria may not be selected.
Like the previous two years, authors will only be able to sell books for one intended audience: adults, teens, or children. In response to the Missouri Secretary of State's administrative rule 15 CSR 30-200, each age category will have its own room. You will be asked to choose which age category room you would prefer to be in. Please note: you can submit books in multiple age categories and will be considered for your second and/or third choices if your first choice fills up. For example, an author has published one young adult book and one adult book, and they submit both books. They mark their first choice as “teen” and their second choice as “adult.” If the teen area fills up but we have room in the adult area, we will offer the author a spot in the adult area, where that author could sell their adult book only.
Schedule of Events:
10:00 AM – 11:30 PM: Authors check in and set up at The Story Center.
11:30 – 12:30 PM: Booths open to other Local Author Fair participants. This private shopping and meet-and-greet time gives authors an opportunity to connect.
12:30 – 1:00 PM: Lunch break. Authors provide their own lunch.
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Local Author Fair
All accepted authors will be featured in our Local Author Database, which will link to their websites. For an example, please take a look at last year’s database.
If you are an author within the greater Kansas City area who would like to participate in the Local Author Fair, please submit your application! You will receive a confirmation email that your submission has been received, and selected authors will receive notification of acceptance by September 2.
Author Requirements:
-All authors must submit an application within the submission period. Entries received outside of the submission period will not be accepted.
-Authors will need to manage their own sales.
-Authors must be willing to help promote the event to their readers and networks.
-Authors must live or work in the MCPL service area (Jackson, Clay, and Platte Counties in Missouri) or a library district with which MCPL has a reciprocal agreement (listed below).
- Cameron Public Library
- Cass County Public Library
- Henry County Library
- Johnson County (Kansas) Library
- Kansas City, Kansas Public Library
- Kansas City, Missouri Public Library
- North Kansas City Public Library
- Olathe Public Library
- Ray County Public Library
- Robertson Memorial Library
- Rolling Hills Library
- St. Joseph Public Library
- Trails Regional Library
Please direct additional questions to Melanie Pierce, Story Center Program Manager, at mpierce@mymcpl.org.
MCPL Library program submissions form are now open! The Mid-Continent Public Library is looking for great pitches for exciting library programs and experiences. We accept program proposals from a vast array of fields and backgrounds in hopes of connecting distinct talents with the dynamic communities we serve. We hope to hear from you soon!
Please note:
- Preferential treatment is shown to those presenters willing to travel to all 31 of our locations. We understand that the size of the MCPL library system can make traveling to all locations difficult. Please review the MCPL map and indicate to which branches you would be willing to travel.
- MCPL policy prohibits selling of products or services during programs, with exception for authors and musicians (who may
sell books, CDs and/or DVDs). Exceptions have also been made for non-profit organizations and/or community partners. - MCPL policy requires a background check of any accepted presenters.
- Program submissions are reviewed in the order they are received. We thank you in advance for your patience in this process.
MCPL is now accepting Virtual Library program submissions! The Mid-Continent Public Library is looking for great pitches for exciting library programs and experiences. We accept program proposals from a vast array of fields and backgrounds in hopes of connecting distinct talents with the dynamic communities we serve. We hope to hear from you soon!
Please note:
- MCPL policy prohibits selling of products or services during programs, with exception for authors and musicians (who may sell books, CDs and/or DVDs). Exceptions have also been made for non-profit organizations and/or community partners.
- Per this policy, presenters cannot have banners with links to their sites showing throughout the entire program. This includes any Facebook, Twitter, or personal sites. Presenters are welcome to bring these sites up at the end of the program. However, this must be done in a passive manner and no active push should be made to get audience members to visit them. Sites that take funds (such as Patreon or donation sites) cannot be mentioned or have their links shown at all.
- MCPL policy requires a background check for any accepted presenter.
- All virtual programs must be at least 25 minutes long and in the mp4 format
- If your program will be live on Facebook, be sure to accept the MCPL360 friend request to ensure the necessary administrative permissions.
- If you are sending a video, the file needs to be submitted at least four business days prior to the program date.
- Program submissions are reviewed in the order they are received. We thank you in advance for your patience in this process
MCPL Culinary Center program submissions form are now open! The Culinary Center is looking for great pitches for exciting culinary programs and experiences. We accept program proposals from a vast array of fields and backgrounds in hopes of connecting distinct talents with the dynamic communities we serve. We hope to hear from you soon!
Please note:
MCPL policy prohibits selling of products or services during programs, with exception for authors and musicians (who may sell books, CDs and/or DVDs). Exceptions have also been made for non-profit organizations and/or community partners.
- MCPL Culinary Center presenters who handle food are required to have a food handler or food manager certification.
- MCPL policy may requires a background check for some presenters of youth programs.