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Wendi Keene retired from a thirty year career with the YMCA of Central Kentucky. She held many positions from early education teacher, camp director, and after-school site director until she worked her way to outreach programing. When she left the Y she had become the Executive Director of Community Initiatives for the total Y association with her focus on the arts, literacy and volunteers.
The William Stamps Farish, III Theater at the Central Library is available to the community for lectures, live music, community forums, film festivals, small theatrical productions, dance performances, literary readings, debates, and other creative uses.
Your tax-deductible gift to the Lexington Public Library Foundation funds innovation in our public library system. We raise funds to support Lexington Public Library programs, services, and special projects that go beyond what public dollars alone can support, today and for generations to come.
We stand for free and open access to information. That starts with removing unnecessary barriers to our educational resources and technology. The Lexington Public Library no longer charges fines or fees for late, lost, or damaged material.
Our commitment to listening, learning and changing is ongoing and our work is never complete. We affirm that we achieve more together because of our differences, not despite them. When all voices are heard, we are stronger.
The Elmer L. Foote Collection is a group of 190 lantern slides. They were created by Elmer L. Foote, a Cincinnati photographer and library staff member whose pictures appeared in the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune.
All Digital Archives Collections
Friends of the Lexington Public Library provides financial, advocacy and volunteer support to the Library. Shop at the Friends Book Cellar in the Central Library for a great selection of used books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, and vinyl records, all at discounted prices.
Everyone deserves a place to discover something new. The Lexington Public Library stands for free and open access to information. We’re a safe, welcoming space for neighbors to come together — opening the door so all Lexingtonians can find what they’re looking for.
Lexington Public Library Donations Received January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
CNC router
Use this router for small scale wood milling with a maximum size of 8x8x3 inches. Please supply your own personal items for milling. Speak with an Eastside Makerspace staff member to schedule an appointment to use the CNC router.
Visit the following learning spaces to get started.
Cricut machines
Cricut machines can cut 12x24-inch vinyl, fabric, and paper products. 12x12-inch transfer tape, permanent vinyl, and heat transfer vinyl are available for purchase, or you can use your own materials free of charge. Speak with a staff member before use if you are bringing your own materials.
Visit the following learning spaces to get started.
Each catalog lists the Board of Trustees, faculty, alumnae, graduates that year, directory of students, courses of study, and the members of each department. Policies for students and parents regarding boarding, correspondence, school attendance, graduation, and expenses are also included in the catalog per year.
Lexington Public Library believes this item is in the public domain and has no known US Copyright restrictions; however, it may be subject to rights of privacy, publicity, or other restrictions.
The 1890-91 Sayre Female Institute lists the school’s board of trustees, committees, instructors, alumnae, courses of study, and general information about the school, costs, and boarding.
The Lexington Public Library believes this item is in the public domain and has no known US Copyright restrictions; however, it may be subject to rights of privacy, publicity, or other restrictions.
Each catalog lists the Board of Trustees, faculty, alumnae, graduates that year, directory of students, courses of study, and the members of each department. Policies for students and parents regarding boarding, correspondence, school attendance, graduation, and expenses are also included in the catalog per year.
Lexington Public Library believes this item is in the public domain and has no known US Copyright restrictions; however, it may be subject to rights of privacy, publicity, or other restrictions.
This book contains information about the history of the school, brief biographies of the officers, lists of white and African-American students from 1823-1923, trustees, board members, and instructors. There are several photographs included of significant individuals and the school
The Lexington Public Library believes this item is in the public domain and has no known US Copyright restrictions; however, it may be subject to rights of privacy, publicity, or other restrictions.
The library has a variety of directories and yearbooks with local information. In the library's current digital collection, there is a selection of residential and street directories, yearbooks, school directories, and organizational directories. These are all fully word-searchable.
The Kentucky Images collection contains postcards, photographs and slides of people, architecture, and locations in Kentucky and Appalachia.
Tabletop kiln
Fire small pieces made of precious metal clay. Machine can hold items up to 2.5x1.5”. Please supply your own personal materials for firing. Speak with an Eastside Makerspace staff member to schedule an appointment to use the tabletop kiln.
Visit the following learning spaces to get started.
The Lexington Public Library receives most of its operating funds from an Ad Valorem property tax. By State law, the Library receives five cents for every $100 of assessed property value in Lexington and Fayette County.
Comb binding machine
Use this machine to bind paper booklets in a variety of sizes. Binding combs are available for purchase, or you can use your own free of charge. Speak with a staff member before use if you are using your own combs.
Visit the following learning spaces to get started.
Lexington, Kentucky (April 12, 2023) – The Lexington Public Library will be Fine Free for all materials, effective immediately, following a vote at today’s regularly scheduled monthly board meeting. Lexington Public Library customers will no longer incur fines for late, damaged, or lost library materials. Additionally, the Library has forgiven all current, outstanding fines
You can request a "Bag of Books" to access our materials when you're unable to browse in person. Complete this form, and we'll pull up to 10 items that match your specified interests. You can help us locate more items by keeping your requests general.
The Lexington Public Library encourages visits by children, and wishes to make these visits both memorable and enjoyable. The Library recognizes that children have special needs. This policy emphasizes the fact that ultimate responsibility for children’s health, safety, and behavior in the Library’s environment resides with the parent or guardian.
Lexington Public Library is proud to host the 2026 Kentucky History and Genealogy Conference. This conference brings together historians, genealogists, researchers, and enthusiasts to explore the rich history and genealogical heritage of Kentucky.
