LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Village Branch of the Lexington Public Library has served the community since 2004, but according to the Lexington Library, it was “a small, storefront branch.”
That all changes on March 9, 2024, with the grand opening of the new Marksbury Family Branch of the Lexington Public Library.
The Marksbury Family Foundation provided the lead gift for the library’s capital campaign to rebuild the Village Branch. The new Marksbury branch will be a two-story building and it triples the amount of space for the library. According to a news release from the Lexington Public Library, the new branch will feature community and study rooms, a dedicated classroom, an outdoor reading area and expanded areas for adults and children. Visitors will also find a drive-thru window where they can return and pick up items they are borrowing.
The Lexington Public Library estimates one million visitors will be served each year at the location.
“Our Library system thrives when our community comes together,” said Executive Director Heather Dieffenbach. “We are grateful for the support of the Marksbury Family Foundation and the leadership of the Lexington Public Library Foundation. Together, we will accomplish great things to support the citizens of Central Kentucky.”
The Marksbury Branch will cost $17 million to complete. The Library Foundation has committed to raising $5.3 million to support the project. The exact amount donated by the Marksbury Foundation isn’t known, but the library foundation says their lead gift is the single largest commitment in the history of the Lexington Public Library Foundation, which has supported the public library system since 1997.
The Village Branch will remain open through 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23.