Mayor Fischer, Louisville Free Public Library Officially Open New Northeast Regional

Mayor Greg Fischer and Louisville Free Public Library officials welcomed the public today to the new Northeast Regional Library located at 15 Bellevoir Circle off Ormsby Station Road in Lyndon.

The nearly 40,000-square-foot facility—which replaces the much-smaller Westport branch—enhances service for more than 170,000 people in eastern Jefferson County, with new books, open spaces, and cutting-edge technology that encourages learning at all stages of life. Similar in size and scope to the award-winning Southwest and South Central Regional libraries, Northeast houses more than 120,000 books and materials, and includes comfortable, quiet spaces for reading and studying, several meeting rooms, an auditorium, a large children’s area, and a separate teen space.

“The Northeast Regional Library builds on the success we’ve had with the Southwest and South Central Regional Libraries,” said Mayor Fischer. “They’ve been huge hits with the public, and we’re excited that we can open the third beautiful, full-service modern library our citizens demand and deserve.”

New to LFPL, the Northeast Regional features an innovative, hands-on “makerspace” with audio/visual studio and demonstration kitchen. Called the Maker Pavilion, it is Northeast’s hub for making, collaborating, and hands on learning. The Maker Room features the latest in maker technology including a Makerbot 3D printer, Glowforge laser cutter, programmable drones, sewing machines, and more. The Media Studio offers a sound booth for patrons to record podcasts and music, and an area to create videos using green screen technology. In the Kitchen, chefs and other local experts will host scheduled cooking classes and demos for the public. The entire Maker Pavilion will host open hours, regular orientations, and specialized classes geared towards different age groups, including kids, teens, and adults.

“Libraries incubate intellectual curiosity, promote literacy, help our children succeed in school and our adults to reach their full potential,” said Library Director Lee Burchfield. “The Northeast Regional is a spectacular library in a beautiful, park-like setting that will inspire creativity and innovation for generations of Louisvillians.”

The eco-friendly Northeast Regional Library project utilizes green building construction methods and materials and has been designed to save energy, improve quality of life, and reduce operating costs through such elements as geothermal heating and daylight harvesting interior lighting. Walls of glass and clerestory windows fill the space with abundant natural light and offer incredible views of the park-like campus and the historic Ormsby House. The surrounding grounds include walking paths, benches, and outdoor learning spaces. And thanks to two donations—one from Trees Louisville and one from LG&E and KU Energy’s Plant for the Planet program—an additional 63 new trees have been added to the 13.5 acre campus, complementing the existing 104 mature specimens on the site. 

“The completion of the Northeast Regional Library represents a coming together of our community to make improving and expanding our libraries a priority,” said District 18 Councilwoman Marilyn Parker. “While Metro Government has played a big role in this development, we also counted on support from State Government, the City of Lyndon, the Library Foundation and many individuals and groups who helped raise the funding and support needed to complete this facility. This branch is located in District 18, but in reality, it will be a resource for the entire community.”

The design team for the Northeast Regional Library included JRA Architects, MSR Design, and MKSK, in consultation with library staff, neighborhood residents, and community leaders. The total price tag for construction, books, computers and furnishings is estimated at $17.8 million, with $14 million combined from the state and capital funds allocated by Mayor Fischer and approved by the Metro Council, and the additional $3.8 million raised from private donations to the Library Foundation.

“The generous financial support of private donors to The Library Foundation funds the margin of excellence which makes good libraries into great libraries,” said Library Foundation Chair Steve Gault. “I thank all who supported our successful Campaign for the Northeast Regional Library and helped make this a great library for our city.”

“It’s an honor to have this library in Lyndon,” said Lyndon Mayor Brent Hagan. “We hope that you use the space. Schedule meetings here, meet people for coffee. Take the kids for story time, find a quiet place to write or watch a cooking demonstration. I know it sounds crazy, but you could even check out a book!”

Mayor Fischer, Burchfield, and Metro Council members were joined at today’s event by Library Foundation Chair Steve Gault, Lyndon Mayor Brent Hagan, and Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives Commissioner Terry Manuel.

If you visit the Northeast Regional Library

The hours of operation are: Sunday: 1–5 p.m., Monday–Thursday: 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The library hosts a variety of free programs, classes, and events every month for adults and youth including weekly storytimes, computer classes, and Maker Pavilion programs. Search the library’s online calendar at http://LFPL.org/events for a complete list of upcoming program dates and times.

In addition, the Northeast Regional’s meeting rooms are available for use by community groups and organizations; it is free but reservations are required. For more information call (502) 394-0379 or visit LFPL.org/meeting-rooms.htm.