LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Parkland Library reopened Thursday morning after being closed for nearly four decades.
The library, at Virginia Avenue and South 28th Street, has been preparing to reopen its doors thanks to federal funding and private donations. It originally opened in 1908, one of nine libraries built in Louisville with funding from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, the city said Thursday. But it shut down in 1986 due to budget cuts.
"The reopening of the Parkland Library is truly a celebration for the people of Parkland," Louisville Mayor Greenberg said in a news release Thursday. "This library is a testament to what a community can do when we work together. Parkland lost a neighborhood cornerstone when the library closed, and I made it a priority to make the renovations a reality because people in Parkland deserve this safe space for people to gather, learn, and access programming that will continue moving our community forward. This investment adds to the momentum we're seeing in Parkland and across our city that will benefit the people of Louisville for generations to come."
The Parkland Library is just one of four branches that saw or will see significant renovations. The Portland and Main branches are being restored, and a brand-new library is being built in Fern Creek. Altogether, the projects are part of a $44 million investment, funded through federal COVID-19 relief funding and private donations from the Library Foundation.
Metro Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins, D-1, said she's advocated for the libraries reopening for years and thanked Greenberg and other city leaders for helping bringing it back.
"This is more than just an exciting achievement — it's a true blessing for our community," she said in a news release. "The grand reopening of the Parkland Library marks a full-circle moment for many of us, and I am deeply grateful for the dedication and hard work that made this day possible. I look forward to exploring our newly renovated library, but even more so, I'm excited about the opportunities and access it will provide for everyone in our community."
The branch will offer various services, including books for children and adults, DVDs, CDs, and a focus on early childhood literacy. It's intended to be a place where people can come together, learn and grow with 17,000 books, computers and printing services, public meeting space and more.
"The Parkland Library’s reopening is a dream come true," Library Director Lee Burchfield said in a news release Thursday. "That dream started with a small group of interested citizens who worked tirelessly to make it happen. It grew and became a reality through the support of elected officials, supporters, donors, and countless community members. Congratulations to everyone involved and thank you for your belief in libraries and the improvements they bring to our community."
Related Stories:
- Historic Parkland Library reopening Feb. 27 after decades of closure
- City of Louisville invests $1 million into renovating 2 west end libraries
- Groundbreaking held for project that will give Louisville's Parkland neighborhood a usable library
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