Website Search
Discover free events, books, and resources exploring Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating when the Emancipation Proclamation reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, in 1865.
Please note that all locations will be closed on June 19 in observance.
Together, we’ll enrich our Lexington Public Library for the next 230 years.
Tracing its history back to 1795, the Lexington Public Library is a gateway to knowledge, a bridge to opportunity, and a hub for community connection. The name of the society honors that legacy — when a small group of citizens came together to create something lasting for their community - a library positioned to evolve to meet the ever changing needs of our community.
Members of the 1795 Society are philanthropic leaders and dedicated library champions. Supporters make a three-year pledge of at least $1,000 per year - whether you are an individual donor interested in making an annual or monthly gift, you are making your estate plans, or you are a corporate partner looking to connect your organization to community impact, we invite you to join this legacy of connection, learning, and leadership in support of the public library!
Join the 1795 Society, a community who enable the Library’s critical work and build a legacy of learning, access and opportunity for generations to come.
Search our digital archives by topic.
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.
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.
Have a question? Ask us! You can contact us via email, phone, chat, or text. Book a librarian for one-on-one help. Suggest a purchase to help us improve our collection.
Throughout June, join us as we celebrate Pride Month with programs, books, podcasts, and more.
Directory Collection
All Digital Archives Collections
Congregations and Religious Materials Collection
All Digital Archives Collections
The Kentucky Reporter (1817-1830)
All Digital Archives Collections
Black Community News
All Digital Archives Collections
United States Army Armor School, Fort Knox Yearbook Collection
All Digital Archives Collections
Lexington Weekly Press (1881)
All Digital Archives Collections
The True American (1845-1847)
All Digital Archives Collections
Imperial Court of Kentucky
All Digital Archives Collections
Miscellaneous Newspapers
All Digital Archives Collections
The Daily Argonaut (1895-1899)
All Digital Archives Collections
Description coming soon.
Duncan-Goff Scrapbook Collection
All Digital Archives Collections
Sam'l D. M'Cullough's Reminiscences of Lexington
All Digital Archives Collections
Katherine Pettit Diary
All Digital Archives Collections
Voyages, Adventures and Situation of the French Emigrants, translated by A Lady
All Digital Archives Collections
Judge Kenneth Lyons Collection
All Digital Archives Collections
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