Library Hours
Monday-Thursday: 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 1:00pm - 9:00pm
*Make sure you have your KCAI ID!
Chat with Jannes Library Staff by typing directly into the box below. We will respond in real time!
After library hours, chats are monitored by library professionals, who are able to help with your general research needs.
For any non-pressing issues, or questions regarding your library account, email library@kcai.edu.
Meet Naphtali Faris
Hello! My name is Naphtali Faris. I am in my second year as the Assistant Director here at the Jannes Library. I get to do programming, community outreach, and communications (like insta and our library zine). My background is in public libraries, particularly in youth services. Prior to the Kansas City Art Institute, I was a Branch Manager for Mid-Continent, a Children's Librarian at the St Louis Public Library, the Early Literacy Manager for the Kansas City Public Library, and the Youth and Literacy Services Consultant for the Missouri State Library.
My bachelor's degree is from William Jewell College (English Literature and European History, super applicable to so many fields). I have a Masters of Library and Information Science from Dominican University with a specialty in Youth Services. I am currently working on my PhD in Information Studies also from Dominican University. My dissertation is about the language of professional reviews of folk and fairy tale retellings published for young adults and how that language reflects professional attitudes in regards to race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, and culture.
I am a huge fan of fairy tales, young adult literature, children's literature, and graphic novels. And will talk to you for hours about any of these and give you at least 20 recommendations, if you let me. I have a small collection of children's book art in my office (along with a million tchotchkes). I love a grandma hobby so I do a lot of crocheting and cross stitch. I also love to travel, spend time with my goddaughters, collect useless trivia, and take in all things pop culture and Disney.
Naphtali's Picks at Jannes Library
Artistic Interests
I don't have any formal art training but I was a prodigious student of my grandmother and great-grandmother. So I like to keep up with the hobbies they passed on to me. These include, but are not limited to, crochet, cross stitch, quilting, sewing, and (failed attempts at) knitting.
More than anything, I am an appreciator of art, especially children's illustration and graphic art. I am fortunate enough to own some pieces from children's book illustrators. The piece pictured is Ce n'est pas un lapin by LeUyen Pham. She is one of my favorite illustrators and worked on many books including creating the illustrations for Lunar New Year Love Story which was written by Gene Luen Yang.
