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The Lexington Public Library’s Digital Archives provide open access to researchers and students to learn more about the rich history of Lexington and Fayette County. It contains a fraction of the Library’s physical holdings, which are housed and available for reference in the Kentucky Room at the Central Library. New material is being digitized and added constantly, so there's always something new to find.
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.
Throughout the fall of 2023 and into the winter for 2023, the Lexington Public Library will be embarking on a strategic visioning process that will guide library programs and services for the next three years.
Join the?Songfarmers?of Lexington for a community jam at the Marksbury Family Branch. Bring your instrument, your voice, a song, or all three! Listeners and all skill levels are welcome.?
Join the Lexington Theatre Company for the perfect introduction to a musical theatre journey! Pre-Schoolers will explore music, movement, and storytelling. Introduce your littlest ones to the start of their creative journey.
Check for current job openings and apply to work at the Lexington Public Library.
Lift your voices! Come sing together in this ensemble-based voice class for all skill levels.
The Youth Class will be for those 7 years of age and older. Participants will be given basic drawing and painting instructions. Then they will be able to create their own piece of artwork to take home.
Come experience the voices of the Library's New Hip-Hop & Poetry Club as members perform original lyrics, rap verses, and spoken-word pieces. This showcase highlights their work in writing, recording and performance skills —all coming together on one stage.
As part of the Central Kentucky Concert Band's celebration of its first fifty years, a saxophone trio, composed of CKCB members, will present an hour-long program at the Marksbury Family Branch Library at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The ensemble has a large repertoire of classical and traditional tunes, most of which were custom-arranged or composed specifically for this trio.
As part of the Central Kentucky Concert Band's celebration of its first fifty years, a saxophone trio, composed of CKCB members, will present an hour-long program at the Tates Creek Branch Library at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2026. The ensemble has a large repertoire of classical and traditional tunes, most of which were custom-arranged or composed specifically for this trio.
Enjoy a 45-minute Creative Movement class exploring rhythm, locomotor, and non-locomotor movement as well as story-dancing. Open to 10 children ages 3 - 5. Presented by Bluegrass Youth Ballet. Wear comfortable clothes and socks.
The program for Ballet Folklorico Tradiciones de mi Tierra begins with an exciting showcase of traditional Mexican dances that highlight the rich cultural heritage of various regions in Mexico. Performance features vibrant costumes, music, and energetic choreography, capturing the essence of the folk traditions.
Join us for a fun, hands-on musical adventure! In this workshop, kids ages nine and up will explore the exciting world of the orchestra and its instrument families — strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
Adult class will focus on the Harlem Renaissance (1918–1937) This was a cultural movement that celebrated Black identity, creativity, and intellectual achievement, particularly in Harlem, New York. Black artists played a pivotal role in shaping the visual representation of this era, using their work to express cultural pride, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate African heritage.
Join us for a special musical journey led by our community's brightest young pianists!
Try It Yourself!
First, we'll have keyboards available so that school-age kids, teens, and adults can?try out the program for themselves! This is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience with music.
Student Performances
Description coming soon.
The Undesign the Redline project unearths the deep and systemic history of structural racism and inequality in the United States. This interactive exhibit explores policies like Redlining, their implications for today, and what we can do to undesign them.
The exhibit was created by social impact design studio designing the WE and has been invited to dozens of cities across the country. A local advisory group has helped to produce local history and stories about Redlining in Lexington.
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Friends of the Lexington Public Library, Inc.
Meet the Lexington Public Library's Board, Administrative Team, and Leadership Team. Apply to work or volunteer at the library.
Compiled by Cyrus Parker Jones, a man formerly enslaved by the Parker family, these funeral notices cover 667 funerals of individuals in Lexington, including seven free blacks. The funeral notices cover the years 1806-1886. Jones donated his collection to a trustee of the Lexington Public Library prior to his death in 1887, who then added some notices and donated the collection to the Lexington Public Library in 1900.
All Digital Archives Collections
The Lexington Public Library allows access to its records, pursuant to KRS 61.870 to 61.884.
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.
Help us make digital archives searchable, from anywhere.
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.
