The Linda Hall

The Linda Hall A leading independent science research library, The Linda Hall brings science, engineering, and technology to life in new and relevant ways.
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The Linda Hall Library, located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, is the largest privately funded library of science, engineering, and technology in the world open to the public. The Library is dedicated to providing the most comprehensive physical, life science, engineering, and technology collections, reliable library services, a host of educational and other programs, and an ongoing serie

s of public lectures, events and exhibitions. From its opening in 1946, the Linda Hall Library has included resources for study in the history of science and technology. In 1947, the purchase of the entire library of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences provided the foundation of a rare book and reference collection to support research in the history of science and technology. Smaller collections, such as portions of the Herbert Hoover collection of rare books in mining and metallurgy, the Robert B. Honeyman collection of scientific books, and the George White collection in early geology were acquired in the 1980s. In 1995, the entire collection of the Engineering Societies Library was transferred to the Linda Hall Library, including the Ball Gemmology Collection and hundreds of early books on engineering, mathematics, physics, geology, and other related sciences.

Cancer signs, it's your time to shine!🦀♋📖: The Cancer constellation depicted here can be found in Astrognosie oder Anlei...
06/22/2026

Cancer signs, it's your time to shine!🦀♋

📖: The Cancer constellation depicted here can be found in Astrognosie oder Anleitung zur Kenntnis der Sterne (1826) by Franz Niklaus König. These rare lantern slides are based on John Flamsteed's "Atlas céleste" and feature a stunning collection of celestial bodies and astrological figures.

Unlike traditional bound books, the constellations featured in this set of cards are printed on thick cardstock, with each star hand-cut and sealed with a thin piece of tissue paper, allowing them to be illuminated from behind.

See the full work here: https://bit.ly/3H175hU

06/18/2026

New look. New era. Same passion for curiosity!

For eight decades, this institution has preserved and shared some of humanity's most important scientific knowledge. It has served scholars, researchers, inventors, and dreamers. It has protected the record of discovery and ensured that future generations could build upon the work of those who came before them.

As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we reflect not only on our remarkable legacy but also our aspirations for the future with the next chapter of The Linda Hall.

06/17/2026

How do you turn 400-year-old ideas into an immersive, modern exhibition? You bring in the experts! Meet Ali, the incredibly talented local multidisciplinary artist who brought the medieval world to life for our latest exhibition, The Alchemy of Knowledge.

From researching illuminated manuscripts and bestiaries to the meticulous process of designing and cutting medieval-inspired banners, Ali’s textile work bridges the gap between historical stories and modern experiences.

One of the standout pieces features the powerful story of the Pelican, a symbol of sacrifice and renewal that you can also spot on Queen Elizabeth's brooch on her garment in our East Gallery!

Come experience the history, the science, and the incredible craftsmanship for yourself. Exhibition details: https://bit.ly/4epzpZT

Scientist of the Day: Rachel Carson Throughout the 1940s and 50s, Carson became a highly celebrated, beloved author for ...
06/16/2026

Scientist of the Day: Rachel Carson

Throughout the 1940s and 50s, Carson became a highly celebrated, beloved author for her beautifully written books about ocean life, like Under the Sea-Wind and The Sea Around Us.

But by the late 1950s, Carson noticed a dark trend: the indiscriminate, unchecked use of synthetic chemical pesticides like DDT. At a time when society believed the military-industrial complex could do no wrong, Carson meticulously gathered evidence showing that these aerial poisons were devastating bird populations and ecosystems.

When Silent Spring hit the shelves, the chemical industry erupted. They threatened lawsuits and launched a massive smear campaign, calling her incompetent, a fool, and a "hysterical woman". Yet, Carson remained the epitome of the calm, methodical scientist. Her quiet courage won the day, eventually moving three presidential administrations to action, creating the EPA, and banning commercial DDT.

Read more about this champion of the natural world: https://bit.ly/4erWM3E

đź“· Image 1: Portrait of Rachel Carson, photograph, unknown date (news.ucsc.edu)

📷 Image 2: Dust jacket of Under the Sea Wind, by Rachel Carson, second edition, 1952 (author’s copy)

đź“· Image 3: Rachel Carson, Silent Spring. Cambridge MA, 1962. (Linda Hall Library)

đź“· Image 4: U.S. postage stamps honoring Rachel Carson, 1981 (amazon.com)

In town for some futbol? ⚽Take a break from the stadium crowds and explore another side of Kansas City!SELFIE LOVE conne...
06/15/2026

In town for some futbol? âš˝
Take a break from the stadium crowds and explore another side of Kansas City!

SELFIE LOVE connects visitors to some of the city’s most inspiring cultural destinations, all easily accessible along the Streetcar corridor. Complete the scavenger hunt, share your journey, earn points, and unlock rewards today!

More info: https://bit.ly/44gRJOB

We're turning 80, and we'd love to celebrate with you! 🎂Join us June 18 for cake, punch, and a look back at eight decade...
06/12/2026

We're turning 80, and we'd love to celebrate with you! 🎂

Join us June 18 for cake, punch, and a look back at eight decades of history with Emmy-winning journalist Nick Haines (Kansas City PBS) and the contributors behind our brand-new visual history book.

It's free, it's fun, and there's cake. Reserve your spot today: https://bit.ly/4u4J7oZ

06/11/2026

"The Alchemy of Knowledge: Science and Mystery from Shakespeare to AI" opens at the Linda Hall Library on March 13. President & CEO Dr. Eric Dorfman discusses the exhibition and more with Michael Mackie on the latest episode of Artful Connections Along the Streetcar. Listen NOW at kcstudio.org/podcast or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

Scientist of the Day: Alan Turing đź’»Before there were computers, there was Alan Turing.Many know Turing for his legendary...
06/10/2026

Scientist of the Day: Alan Turing đź’»

Before there were computers, there was Alan Turing.

Many know Turing for his legendary wartime codebreaking at Bletchley Park, where he designed the "Bombe" to crack the German Enigma machine. But his most revolutionary breakthrough happened years earlier.

In 1936, at just 24 years old, Turing published a paper describing a theoretical device: the "Universal Turing Machine." He proved mathematically that a single machine could perform any conceivable computation just by following programmed instructions. It was the blueprint for the modern computer.

Tragically, Turing’s brilliant life was cut short. In 1952, he was prosecuted under Britain's anti-homosexuality laws, forced to undergo chemical castration, and stripped of his security clearances. He died just two years later at age 41.

It took decades for the world to fully acknowledge his contributions, culminating in a royal pardon in 2013. Today, we honor Alan Turing not just as a wartime hero, but as the true father of computer science.

Dive into his incredible legacy: https://bit.ly/43MUIhC

đź“· Image 1: Portrait of Alan Turing, photograph, 1951 (National Portrait Gallery, London)

đź“· Image 2: Replica of the bombe, the machine that could decipher Enigma messages, Bletchley Park Museum, Buckinghamshire (cryptomuseum.com)

📷 Image 3: Cover of the October 1950 issue of Mind, which contains Alan Turing’s paper, “Computing machinery and intelligence.” (christies.com)

Address

5109 Cherry Street
Kansas City, MO
64110

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+18163634600

Website

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