From the National Register application on the First National Bank Building:
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"The First National Bank Building, located at the northeast corner of Baltimore Avenue and West Tenth Street, is a masonry, concrete and steel structure containing Neo-Classic, Neo-Grecian and Chicago-influenced style elements. The bank building complex consists of three major structures: (1) an original three-story building built in 1904-1906; (2) a four-story east annex constructed in 1926; and (3) a five-story north annex constructed in 1964. To the north the building shares a common wall with the Kansas City School of Law Building. To the east steel frame and glass bridges connect the First National Bank to the Ten Main Center Complex, with the remaining facade having access to a single entrance alley. The main facades facing west and south are sheathed with Georgian marble and contain all of the exterior embellishments.
The south facade is dominated by a hexaprostyle of six Ionic columns consisting of unfluted shafts set on square pedestals. This colonnade supports a projecting entablature and parapet. The entablature, ornamented with disks, is inscribed with the name "FIRST NATIONAL BANK." Situated above the projecting box cornice is the parapet. Contained in a raised portion aligned directly above the center bay is a sculptural ornament consisting of a cartouche flanked by scrolls and foliate motifs in high relief.
Engaged piers, in combination with the colonnade, visually divide the facade into six bays. The main entrance, decorated with ornate double-leaf bronze doors outlined by a corresponding bronze frame, is centered in the original building. Side entrances are placed to the east of the main entrance, one allowing access to the main building; a second entrance surmounted by a bracket-supported door hood allows access to the east annex. The fenestration of each bay consists of Chicago-style casement windows surmounted by transoms, which are stacked three window levels high. Bronze forms the mullions, jambs, and tracery of the windows. Projecting bronze cornices ornamented with antifixae visually separate mezzanine and third-story windows. Above the cornice line of the east annex is contained a single fourth-story casement window.
On the southern half of the west facade, engaged pilasters visually divide the facade into nine vertical sections which similarly repeat the fenestration of the south facade. A recessed west entrance, placed off center, is protected by a glass and bronze canopy.
On the west facade of the north annex, which occupies the northern half of the building complex, is a recessed ground story with entrances allowing access to an alleyway, parking facilities and the banking interiors. The upper stories are divided into five bays. Each bay has double casement windows surmounted by transoms. Polished black stone spandrels are set in spaces between the story levels. The east facade of the north annex identically repeats the fenestration of the west facade."
History of the Library from their website:
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"Established in 1873 as the Public School Library of Kansas City, the institution became a cultural center for the city, providing not only educational resources, but an alternative to other downtown entertainment establishments of the time. In addition, the Library enhanced the image of Kansas City as a community that was civilized and cultured, which was attractive to East Coast promoters offering financial support to Kansas City's then-fledgling economy. Although hopes were high, the Library endured a humble beginning. Its first collection consisted of a set of American Encyclopedia placed within a single oak bookcase (both of which are still retained in the Library's holdings).
In 1889, the organization moved into the first building in Kansas City dedicated solely for library use.
Located at 8th and Oak Streets and built at a cost of $10,000, the building was a simple store front that the Library quickly outgrew. In less than 10 years, the Library acknowledged the need for a larger facility and began a new building at 9th and Locust Streets. At a cost of $200,000, the new location opened its doors in 1897. The building was both an economic and architectural achievement for the Library. Complete with a grand rotunda and reference rooms donning murals and framed paintings, the location was an artistic inspiration, providing the Library with badly needed room for its ever-expanding collections and pubic services.
Within its first two days of operation, nearly 20,000 people (equivalent to 14 percent of Kansas City's population) visited.
At 9th and Locust, the community witnessed two important events for the Library and Kansas City as a whole. The first occurred in 1898, when the Library was made free and open to all people, regardless of social or economic status. The second occurred in 1901, when William Rockhill Nelson presented a collection of pictures from the Western Gallery of Art to the Library, which the board renamed the Nelson Gallery of Art. Later, the art gallery would separate from the Library system into its own entity, eventually becoming The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
By the late 1950s, the 9th and Locust facility was again too small to meet the Library's needs.
In 1960, it moved to a newly constructed "space age" facility at 311 E. 12th St., which it shared with the school district. By the 1980s, it became clear that the Library system could better serve the public, and better align itself with other metropolitan library systems, by separating from the school district. In 1988, this move came to fruition and the Library established itself as an independent taxing authority.
During the 1990s, Library administration became aware that it was time for another change in location for the Main Library. The 311 E. 12th St. facility, which it leased from the school district, was in a state of disrepair and the collection had once again outgrown its surroundings. In 1999, plans developed to relocate to the former First National Bank building at 10th and Baltimore. The century-old building, a true masterpiece of craftsmanship with its marble columns, bronze doors and ornate mouldings, required remodeling and a fifth floor addition, but provided the framework for a modern and impressive urban library.
Through a public-private partnership headed by the Downtown Council, and utilizing funds from federal, state and municipal sources, corporations, foundations, individuals and the Library district itself, the Library raised the nearly $50 million needed for the project. As a result, the new Central Library opened its doors in 2004. The location features state-of-the-art technology, improved and increased services, meeting rooms, a screening room, a coffee shop and much more, all within the walls of a building originally constructed to convey a sense of strength and continuity. It is upon that foundation the Library places its vision for the next century to come.
Facts About the Library
The Kansas City Public Library has ten locations.
The Central Library is the largest facility, housing resources, special collections and administrative offices.
More than 2,348,408 materials were checked out during the last fiscal year.
The Inter Library Loan department loaned out 115,846 items last year to other libraries.
2,492,118 customers used the Library system last year.
The Library system counts 1,147,278 items in its holdings."