Kansas City’s Agora: Safeguarding our Library as a Sanctuary and Beacon of Innovation

By Austin Taylor

In the heart of ancient Greece, the Agora was more than a marketplace—it was a crucible of democracy, forum for philosophical discourse and sanctuary of knowledge. It was where Socrates questioned, citizens debated and democracy took root. Today, in Kansas City, our libraries serve as a modern Agora. More than just shelves of books, they are hubs of free speech, community engagement, and refuge—especially in a city that has faced its share of challenges. Amid economic struggles, gun violence, and a shifting urban landscape, the Kansas City Public Libraries remain a steadfast sanctuary for learning, connection, and safety.

But what happens when the sanctuary itself is at risk? Not from censorship or societal discord, but from something more insidious—inefficiency, neglect, and outdated infrastructure. That’s where Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC) comes in—not just as environmental advocates, but as champions of our public spaces. Through the Libraries Inspiring Healthy Buildings (LIHB) initiative, MEC is helping libraries stay safe, welcoming and accessible while making them more sustainable, efficient and cost-effective.

A Library That Breathes, A City That Thrives

MEC Building Performance Program Coordinator Jacob Moore, a Kansas City native, understands the soul of this city. His career has spanned radio promotions to nonprofit leadership, always with a focus on uplifting the community. Now, at MEC, he is bringing a new kind of awareness—one that links public health, economic empowerment and environmental justice.

The LIHB initiative is built on a simple yet profound truth: A healthy community starts with healthy buildings. Libraries should not suffer from poor air quality, energy waste or outdated systems. LIHB retrofits libraries with energy-efficient technologies to improve insulation, clean the air and cut operational costs. The result? Lower utility bills, better indoor air and a more comfortable, welcoming space for every Kansas Citian who walks through the doors.

More than just a technical upgrade, LIHB is a movement. It is a commitment to sustainability and resilience. Through listening sessions, workforce development workshops and advisory committees, MEC isn’t just making buildings better; it’s making communities stronger, more informed and more empowered.

A Sanctuary for Today—and Tomorrow

Kansas City’s libraries have always been more than learning centers. In times of gang violence, economic hardship and social upheaval, they have been safe havens where children do homework, job seekers find resources and homeless people find warmth and dignity.

To preserve this legacy, we must think ahead. The LIHB Initiative ensures that our libraries aren’t just energy-efficient, but also resilient—ready to withstand climate shifts, economic instability and evolving urban needs. What’s more, MEC’s model is scalable and replicable, paving the way for libraries across Missouri and beyond to follow suit.

The Agora Lives On

If Athens’ Agora had crumbled from neglect, democracy itself may never have flourished. Today, if we allow our libraries to deteriorate, we risk losing more than books. We risk losing our community’s safe space, our sanctuary, our hub of growth and discourse.

Thanks to Jacob Moore and MEC, Kansas City is not letting that happen. Through Libraries Inspiring Healthy Buildings, our libraries will continue to stand—not as relics of the past, but as beacons of the future. They will remain places where knowledge is free, people are safe and a city comes together to build something greater. The Agora lives on—and in Kansas City, it is thriving.