Plus, are you going to baby prom?
 
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📚 Check it out

Check it out: The history of the Western Branch Library
The exterior of a brick and stone library building
The Western Branch Library is one of nine Carnegie libraries in Louisville. | Photo via LFPL.
The Louisville Free Public Library is a rich community resource (with more than just books), and new investment is bringing improvements to multiple branches in the coming years. Each LFPL branch has a unique history, but the Western Branch Library at 604 S. 10th St. was the site of many historic firsts for both Louisville and the US.

LFPL got its start in 1902 with funding from Andrew Carnegie. From the beginning, local educator and civil rights leader Albert E. Meyzeek pushed to include Black Louisvillians in the library system. LFPL and its predecessors, like the Polytechnic Society, excluded Black patrons, but Meyzeek’s efforts persuaded the newly formed public library to open a dedicated branch in western Louisville.

A group of nine women and one man stand on the steps of a building in a black and white photo

Reverend Thomas F. Blue and Western Library staff, including Blue’s successor and the branch’s first children’s librarian Rachel Harris, (front row, second from the left) in 1927.

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Photo courtesy ASC, UofL

The first iteration of what would become the Western Branch opened in a private residence at 1125 W. Chestnut St. It all started with three rooms and about 1,400 books. Reverend Thomas Fountain Blue was chosen to lead the new branch, making him the first Black American to head a public library.

Rev. Blue continued to oversee the Western Branch as it moved into its permanent location on 10th Street. By 1919, a second Black-run branch had opened at 600 Lampton St. Rev. Blue moved up to direct the newly-created “Colored Department” of LFPL, which oversaw two libraries, two schools, and 80 classroom collections across 29 buildings.

In 1952, LFPL became the first desegregated public library system in the South, and the Lampton St. branch closed in 1975. The Western Library faced a temporary closure in 1992, but reopened with $500,000 in renovations just two years later.

The Western Branch Library still serves as an important repository for Black history in Louisville. It houses the African American Archives Reading Room, which includes the writings of Rev. Blue, Joseph Cotter Sr. and Jr., and other prominent Black writers.
Asked

What was the first book checked out from the Western Branch Library?
A. “The Souls of Black Folk” by W. E. B. Dubois
B. “Up from Slavery” by Booker T. Washington
C. “Not a Man, and Yet a Man” by Albery A. Whitman
D. “A Voice from the South” by Anna J. Cooper
Turn the page to find out
 
Events
Monday, July 1
  • Step into History Walking Tours | Monday, July 1 | 10:30-11:45 a.m. | The Frazier History Museum, 829 W. Main St., Louisville | $0-$14 | Join Patty Morris, a former history teacher, for a 10-block, 75-minute walking tour of downtown Louisville.
Tuesday, July 2
Wednesday, July 3
  • Louisville Tree Plan Community Workshop | Wednesday, July 3 | 6-7 p.m. | North East Regional Library, 15 Bellevoir Circle, Louisville | Free | Learn about the urban forest master plan and how you can get involved.
Thursday, July 4
  • Waterfront Park Fourth of July | Thursday, July 4 | 1-6 p.m. | Big Four Lawn & Swing Garden, 1101 E. River Rd., Louisville | Free | Catch food, music, a talent show, and of course, fireworks on the river.
Friday, July 5
  • Hot Country Nights: Yellow Banks | Friday, July 5 | 8 p.m. | Fourth Street Live!, 411 S. 4th St., Louisville | Free | See this Owensboro-based band perform songs from “Corner of First and Lonely” at this recurring concert series.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Award
  • More than just bourbon + beer — six Louisville restaurants received 2024 Awards of Excellence from Wine Spectator. To qualify, each restaurant’s wine list must offer at least 90 selections. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Repeal Oak-Fired Steakhouse, Cuvée Wine Table, Morton’s, Swizzle Dinner & Drinks, and The Capital Grille were all recognized.
Biz
  • The nonprofit Park DuValle Community Health Center has acquired the former First Choice Market building at 3044 Wilson Ave. with plans to convert it to a farmer’s market. Cleanup + renovation prep has begun on the 24,000-sqft space, with a food pantry, training kitchen, and public farmer’s market expected to open by spring. (Louisville Business First)
Shop
  • In case you missed the last one, the Louisville Independent Business Alliance will host another Buy Local Fair this month. The South Points Buy Local Fair will come to the Iroquois Amphitheater (1080 Amphitheater Rd.) on Saturday, July 13, 12-4 p.m. Get local food + drink while shopping ~50 local businesses.
Asked
  • When it comes to living in Louisville, we know you know best. You’ve shared your unwritten rules for living in Derby City, but we know you have more. Submit your unwritten rules and help us all understand LOU a little bit better.
Outdoors
  • The Olmsted Parks Conservency is raising funds to restore the Gaulbert Pavillion in Cherokee Park — that’s the one by Big Rock. Volunteers keep it tidy right now, but the plan is to enclose it like Central Park’s pavillion.
Family
  • Do they even make tuxes in that size? LFPL’s Baby Prom is coming to the main branch (301 York St.) on Saturday, July 13, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Kids ages 6 months to 3 years can dance on a sensory dance floor and play dress up. Preregister by calling (502) 574-1620.
Sports
  • We’re less than two months from Cardinals football kickoff. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Cards with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
     
    Try This

    City

    Name this Louisville Neighborhood
    Neighborhood quiz blanked out
    Can you guess this neighborhood just based on the street names? | Screenshot via Google Maps
    Do you know your Derby City neighborhoods, Louisvillians? Prove it.

    We’ve got a new game ready for you, and it’s called “Name this Neighborhood.” The instructions are simple: based on the limited information in the above map, tell us which Louisville neighborhood is pictured.

    We know our readers are pretty map-savvy, so we made it a bit more challenging by blocking out the names of the area’s landmarks. If you’re feeling extra brainy this morning, get extra credit by naming as many landmarks + streets as you can.
    Test your neighborhood knowledge
    The Buy

    The Buy 7.01.24 (Affiliate)
    A five-star rated swimsuit from Nordstrom — we like this lace-up back one-piece for an adjustable fit or this v-wire one-piece for a dipped neckline with support.
     
    The Wrap
     
    Declan Lowthian.jpg

    Today’s edition by:
    Declan
    From the editor
    Former City Editor Katie and I had a chance to check out Chicken Cock Whiskey’s new bar + tasting room in Bardstown. Keep an eye on our socials for a look at what we saw — and tasted.
    Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
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