Kentucky's first library is the oldest institution of it's kind west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Kentucky's Oldest Library

Kentucky officially became the 15th state in the United States of America in the year 1792. Just three short years after Kentucky became a state, the first library in the state opened it's doors making The Lexington Public Library the oldest institution in the state.  The Lexington Public Library was is considered to be the first library west of the Allegheny Mountains. This was so long ago, that the very first president of the United States, George Washington was in office.

A Brief History of Kentucky's Oldest Library

According to NPS.gov the library first started with 400 books, and at first the library was a subscription service.  Basically people had to pay to utilize the library.  In 1898 the city of Lexington was classified as a second-class city, and the library was able to drop subscriptions and become free.  As the library continued to grow, it was now time for a new building.   The NPS explains that a new building was made possible by a donation from Andrew Carnegie.

To receive its donation, the Carnegie Foundation required the city to provide a site for the library and to appropriate funds for the library's upkeep. The new building was constructed of Bedford limestone and was built for a sum of $75,000. Thereafter, the contents of the library were moved to their new home, a beautiful Neo-Classical building at the southern end of Gratz Park.

 

Lexington Public Library Moves in 1989

Lextington Public Library operated in this location until 1989 when the library moved to a larger location, the building then became the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning, which it still operates as today.

The Mayor of Lexington at the time wanted to see the old library building renovated and still available for public use.  Thus the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning was born.

The Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community learning and literary arts center with local, state, and national awards for programming excellence. The Center offers seasonal classes in writing, publishing, and languages; tutoring for students grades K-12; vibrant youth and family programs and exhibits; outreach programs for children and adults; readings from established authors and local literary icons; and other programs and events designed to encourage people to explore and express their voices through imaginative learning and the literary arts.

You can still check out this building, and see a large piece of history from the oldest institution west of the Alleghenies.