Lexington Public Library, Lexington

The Lexington Public Library opened in 1905 in Lexington, Kentucky. It incorporated the collection of the former Lexington Library Company (est.1801) and the former Transylvania Library (est.1795). Today the main location of the Lexington Public Library system is Central Library along East Main Street connected to Park Plaza Apartments.

Ground was broken for the new library on June 3, 1987. Then-Mayor Scotty Baesler noted that the new library project was the "most significant building in downtown." During the preliminary renderings of the structure, it was compared to a "warehouse" and a "jail" due to its unappealing facade; this was soon corrected when a granite facade was installed.

Construction began on the new library during the rising of Park Plaza. The cost of the 108,000 sq ft (10,000 m2). facility was $10 million. Enough space was reserved during the planning stages of the library that it withstand expansion for 20 to 30 years. The unfilled space was leased to the University of Kentucky.

The library's facade includes rose-colored granite, with large spacious windows facing the street and Phoenix Park. A rotunda in the lobby, the focal point of the building, spans all five floors and houses the world's largest ceiling clock and Foucault pendulum, designed by Lexington sculptor Adalin Wichman. The rotunda also includes a frieze depicting the history of the horse in the Bluegrass. Included within the complex is the 138-seat Farish Theater, meeting rooms and an atrium reading lounge. A cafe and an art gallery are located on the ground floor, and the Friends of the Library book seller is in the basement.

The library currently helps its customers in many ways. There is a book van to help reach homebound citizens, as well as a Book Buddy program that pairs a homebound adult with another adult willing to pick up library materials for them. Computer classes, storytimes, and other popular programs are offered for adults and children. Materials are available in multiple languages and multiple formats, including downloadable books and audio. The library also subscribes to several databases in a wide subject range. One of the more popular areas for researchers is the Kentucky Room on the reference floor, which houses records of Kentucky census information and Kentucky history. It also contains microfilm of the Lexington Herald-Leader, as well as its forerunners, the Lexington Herald and the Lexington Leader, along with other Kentucky newspapers. During its long history, this library managed to gain a wide collection of books featuring nowadays more than 600 thousands volumes.