Mid-Continent Public Library, officially known as Consolidated Library District #3, is a public library system serving Clay, Jackson, and Platte Counties in Missouri, with headquarters in Independence, Missouri. Mid-Continent Public Library is the second-largest library system in the state of Missouri. Its collection ranks among the 50 largest in the nation.
Mid-Continent Public Library operates 34 branches across its three-county district, each offering a wide variety of materials and services to the public. In addition to checking out books, movies, music, and portable technology, many locations also offer meeting and community rooms that can be reserved by the public at no charge.
Outside the Library’s buildings, MCPL provides digital resources that cardholders can access from anywhere with an internet connection—from digital publication subscriptions to virtual homework help, to eBooks and eAudiobooks for all ages, and more.
The library system is overseen by a Library Board of twelve members, four appointed by County Commissioners in each of the service region's three counties.