The Public Library of Kentucky

The Public Library of Kentucky was opened to the public April 27, 1872 inside the Central Market building in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. The library consisted of thousands of volumes of books, an art gallery and a museum.

Since 1816, Louisville, a frontier metropolis, fought to establish a public library for its citizens. Louisville native, Reuben T. Durett, helped to create the Public Library of Kentucky. In 1872, Louisville finally achieved its goal of opening a public library. Books were accumulated threw defunct libraries, and placed in its collection.

In 1873, the library purchased the building it occupied. This four story building, located on Fourth Street, offered spaces for the library, museum, classrooms and Festival Halls.

After many financial complications, due to a lottery scandle, the library was forced to close.

On April 3, 1875, the Board of Trustees created a resolution to hand over the library and its assets to the librarian, Paul Allen Towne.

In 1877, the Library of Kentucky and all its assets, were handed over to the Polytechnic Society of Kentucky.

On May 22, 1878 the Library of the Polytechnic Society of Kentucky, closed due to financial trouble. The library carried with it a debt of $30,000, with $5,000 fees due to attorneys from the lottery suit. Seven new members of the Polytechnic Society agreed to pay the debt. Under new management and debt free, the library reopened. However, much improvements were needed to keep the library moving forward. The building and its books needed maintenance and the membership to the society was low. These issues would carry on until the end of the 19th century.

In 1902. Mayor Grainger, created the library with financial help from the Scottish Rite and a grant from Andrew Carnage. Together, the Polytechnic Society and the Free Public Library would work side by side. The future of the Public Library of Kentucky would evolve into the Louisville Free Public Library. The library would manage the books. The Society would manage the museum, events, and lectures. In 1907, the library moved out of the Polytechnic Society-Kaufman-Straus Building on Fourth Street, to the new location on York Street. In 1908, the new public library was opened to the public.

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