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Join us for Kentucky Legends: a series of programs exploring Kentucky culture, history, and lore. Programs include author visits, Chautauqua performances, live music, activities and crafts, and more.
Discover everything that's happening this summer at the Library!

Lena Hart Tobey (1869-1939) was born in Mississippi to Thomas and Susan Watson Hart. In the 1890s, she attended school in Lexington, Kentucky. She married Ellis Tobey in 1896 and died in 1939 in Arkansas.
Numark PT-01 USB Portable Turntable
Digitizes records – 33s, 45s and LPs
Please note: Analog media such as cassettes, VHS tapes, and records are digitized in real time, so a 60-minute recording will take 60 minutes to transfer.


Major Henry Clay McDowell purchased the Ashland Estate from Kentucky University in 1882 with his wife, Anne Smith Clay McDowell, who was a granddaughter of Henry Clay. The McDowells took great care to revive the grounds to their fo
Rubu USB Capture Card
Digitizes VHS or VHS-C tapes
Please note: Analog media such as cassettes, VHS tapes, and records are digitized in real time, so a 60-minute recording will take 60 minutes to transfer.
Marantz PMD-300CP Dual-well Cassette Recorder USB
Digitizes cassette tapes.
Please note: Analog media such as cassettes, VHS tapes, and records are digitized in real time, so a 60-minute recording will take 60 minutes to transfer.

The Knowles Postcard Collection contains images of notable Kentucky locations, such as Ashland, Keeneland, and Mammoth Cave, as well as county courthouses, farms, schools, and many others.

The Kentucky Postcard collection contains images of well-known sites in Central Kentucky, such as Keeneland, Transylvania University, Ashland, and many others.

Elmer L. Foote served as official photographer of the Cincinnati Public Library for many years, and produced photographs that appeared in the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune during the early years of the twentieth century.

The Publications Collection contains runs of historical Kentucky newspapers, almanacs, and magazines.


Discover early 19th-century Lexington in this four-panel traveling exhibit created by the Mary Todd Lincoln House. Images and text illustrate city life, the economy, schools and churches, and arts and leisure during the years Mary Todd lived in Lexington (1818-1839). Text is written for ages 12-up. Free.
Located in the Tates Creek Branch rotunda.

Do you need to learn new software, technology, creative or business skills to achieve your professional or personal goals? LinkedIn Learning gives you unlimited access to a vast library of high quality video tutorials taught by recognized industry experts. You can work at your own pace with provided exercise files. Available on your personal computer or mobile device. (Note: To log into the mobile app, enter lex for your Library ID. You will be prompted to enter your library card number and PIN.)
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.
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.


Read the latest news from Lexington Public Library.
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.