Kentucky State Library

Kentucky State Library State Library public hours are
Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm ET. Additionally, the division provides training opportunities for its customers.

The Division of Library Services provides library and reference services through the State Library; primary customers are state agency employees and the staff of public libraries. Because customers are located throughout the state, access to and delivery of services is provided through the KDLA website, direct email, and a toll-free telephone number. The work of the division is accomplished throug

h two branches, the Library Collections and Circulation Branch comprised of the State Library and the Kentucky Talking Book Library, and the Library Development Branch. Communication through agency-related social media is considered a public record under KRS 171.410(1) and will be managed under the terms of KRS 171.410 through 171.740 and 725 KAR Chapter 1. Any posting to these social media pages may be subject to disclosure to third parties. The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives reserves the right to address or remove any posts or comments at its discretion. The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives has not evaluated and does not endorse any products advertised or opinions expressed on these pages.

The State Library will be closed on Monday, 9/7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Messages may be left at KDLARefe...
09/04/2026

The State Library will be closed on Monday, 9/7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Messages may be left at [email protected] or 502-564-8378. We will contact you upon our return Tuesday.

Today the State Library presented a webinar on Kentucky Libraries Unbound, our digital eBook and eAudiobook collection. ...
09/03/2026

Today the State Library presented a webinar on Kentucky Libraries Unbound, our digital eBook and eAudiobook collection. Each month, the State Library presents a webinar on our resources for state employees. Next month is NewsBank! Keep an eye out for our webinar announcements and registration by marking our Training Events Calendar page - https://kdla.ky.gov/employees/Pages/Training-Events-Calendar.aspx or check out our Archived Webinars page to view recorded webinars - https://kdla.ky.gov/employees/Pages/Archived-Webinars.aspx

Today, we honor a great Kentuckian, Wendell Berry.  He died at his home yesterday in Port Royal, Ky. at the age of 92.  ...
09/01/2026

Today, we honor a great Kentuckian, Wendell Berry. He died at his home yesterday in Port Royal, Ky. at the age of 92. A poet, author, essayist, environmental activist, and agrarian, Mr. Berry advocated for a simpler life, opposing corporate agriculture and championing family-owned farms and environmental conservation. In 1977, his book, “The Unsettling of America,” served as a powerful call to protect small farms from corporate agriculture. It helped spark the modern sustainable farming movement and became a landmark work of environmental conservation. Explore this title or discover one of the many other works by Berry in our collection. https://kdla.on.worldcat.org/advancedsearch

Discover Kentucky’s 2026 Great Reads!  Great stories have the power to connect us to our past, spark our imaginations, a...
08/31/2026

Discover Kentucky’s 2026 Great Reads! Great stories have the power to connect us to our past, spark our imaginations, and bring communities together. Kentucky Humanities, through the Kentucky Center for the Book, has chosen their 2026 Great Read selections—two outstanding books celebrating Kentucky voices and the power of storytelling.
Youth Great Read: My Kentucky Moonlight School by Kim Michele Richardson
Explore the inspiring true history of Kentucky’s Moonlight Schools and the power of literacy to transform lives and strengthen communities.
Adult Great Read: The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer
These selections highlight the richness of Kentucky’s literary heritage and invite readers of all ages to experience stories that celebrate education, history, and the magic of books. Find your copy at your local library or in Kentucky Libraries Unbound and start reading today! https://buff.ly/j8Trl87

In August 2024, Dolly Parton visited Kentucky to celebrate the Imagination Library of Kentucky expanding to serve all 12...
08/28/2026

In August 2024, Dolly Parton visited Kentucky to celebrate the Imagination Library of Kentucky expanding to serve all 120 Kentucky counties. Dolly's Imagination Library, launched in 1995, mails free age-appropriate books monthly to children from birth to age 5. A strong advocate for literacy, the Imagination Library is part of her incredible legacy. To learn more about this fantastic program, visit https://imaginationlibrary.com/kentucky/ and make a difference in a child's life.

Happy International Dog Day!  Did you know Kentucky has an official state dog? Meet the Treeing Walker Coonhound—a breed...
08/26/2026

Happy International Dog Day! Did you know Kentucky has an official state dog? Meet the Treeing Walker Coonhound—a breed known for its speed, stamina, intelligence, and distinctive baying voice. Whether they're tracking a scent through the woods or curled up at home with their favorite humans, dogs have a special way of earning a place in our hearts. Today, we're celebrating all our canine companions, from hardworking hounds to beloved couch potatoes! Do you have a dog? Share a photo of your four-legged friend in the comments and help us celebrate International Dog Day! Or check out a book about dogs in Kentucky Libraries Unbound - . https://buff.ly/j8Trl87

Back-to-school season is here!  Looking for an easy way to bring reading, discussion, and enrichment activities into you...
08/16/2026

Back-to-school season is here! Looking for an easy way to bring reading, discussion, and enrichment activities into your classroom? KDLA's Youth Book Discussion Kits are a ready-made resource for educators across Kentucky! Each kit includes up to 20 copies of a high-quality children's or YA title, an audiobook (when available), and a discussion guide filled with questions and activities. Many kits also include large print and Spanish-language copies. From picture books to teen novels, KDLA offers hundreds of youth titles in a wide range of genres and reading levels. Teachers, school librarians, and homeschool educators can access these resources through their local Kentucky public library. Start planning your fall reading today and discover how a KDLA Youth Book Kit can help bring books to life in your classroom! https://buff.ly/VgSVUDt

08/12/2026

Event Highlight:

Join the Shelby County Historical Society for their Rooted in Research series, featuring Rusty Heckaman, State Archivist with the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA).

📅 Tuesday, August 18
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Carnegie Library Center, Shelbyville

We hope to see you there!

Happy Book Lovers Day!  Love magical worlds and a little romance? Then romantasy might be your perfect match!  From drag...
08/09/2026

Happy Book Lovers Day! Love magical worlds and a little romance? Then romantasy might be your perfect match! From dragons and daring quests to enemies-to-lovers and fated mates, romantasy blends the excitement of fantasy with unforgettable love stories. Celebrate Book Lovers Day by checking out a romantasy title from Kentucky Libraries Unbound — because sometimes saving the kingdom is even better with a little romance along the way. https://buff.ly/j8Trl87

Welcome, August! Did you know August is named for Augustus Caesar? The name Augusta is the feminine form of Augustus and...
08/03/2026

Welcome, August! Did you know August is named for Augustus Caesar? The name Augusta is the feminine form of Augustus and became the name of places such as Kentucky’s very own Augusta, a charming town nestled along the Ohio River. Augusta is known for its rich history, including the Rosemary Clooney House; the historic General John Payne House which played a role in the Underground Railroad; the oldest jail in the state; and an ancient Native American burial ground. Interested in learning more? KDLA's collections include books, reports, and historical materials about Augusta and Bracken County. Stop by and start your research journey with us! - https://buff.ly/RlTAR3E

Address

300 Coffee Tree Road, PO Box 537
Frankfort, KY
40602

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+15025648300

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