Lexington Neighborhood to Welcome New Library and Community Hub
In a momentous announcement, Lexington revealed plans for the foundation of a new library and community center in its Cardinal Valley neighborhood. This full-featured hub is scheduled to have its grand opening on Saturday. Introducing a state-of-the-art facility guaranteed to serve as a hub of activity and provide much-needed resources and support to the local community.
Funding for the New Facility
The construction of this novel 30,000-square-foot, two-story library — the Marksbury Family Branch — was made possible through the combined efforts of the Marksbury Family Foundation, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the City of Lexington leveraging funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, and donations from numerous local philanthropists, totaling to $8.3 million. In all, the project brought together a whopping $17 million in resources, each penny dedicated to ensuring a successful conclusion.
Wide-Ranging Services to Cater to Community Needs
Programs for the library were drafted after lengthy consultation with the local communities, making sure the facility met their specific needs. The library’s offerings range from homework assistance to Spanish-language GED preparation classes, English as a second language classes, food services, and support with social services.
“We’ve got space, we’ve got more staff, we’ve got a larger collection, we’ve got updated and more programming, we’ve got all of those things so that the community can really come together and use this space in a way that they have always wanted to,” Branch manager Jenny Smith explained.
Features of the New Library and Community Hub
The library adopts a hands-on approach, incorporating study places, a dedicated classroom, a makerspace, and community rooms. “Know that when you’re walking in the door we’re going to take care of you and that we have, we can find whatever you need,” reassured Mercedes Maclean, a staff member at the new library.
Grand Opening Festivities
The new library at 2197 Versailles Road is ready to celebrate its grand opening with an array of community-centered activities and performances which include:
- 12:00-12:30 p.m.: Outdoor Amphitheater, Jose Rivera, Mariachi
- 12:30 p.m.: Opening remarks and exploration of the new branch
- 1:30 p.m.: Tempur Sealy Children’s Discovery Zone, Lexington Children’s Theater
- 2:00 p.m.: Community Room, Cardinal Valley Choir
- 2:45 p.m.: Community Room, Casa de la Cultura Kentucky
- 3:00 p.m.: Tempur Sealy Children’s Discovery Zone, Lexington Children’s Theater
- 3:30 p.m.: Community Room, Irene Aguilar, Musician
- 4:15 p.m.: Community Room, Lafayette FIERO Strings
The doors of the Marksbury Family Branch are wide open, so come join the celebrations and discover all the new features and offerings that this establishment brings to the Cardinal Valley community!