Oldham County Public Library, LaGrange

LaGrange branch of Oldham County Public Library System.

If you have not visited the new building that houses the LaGrange main branch of the Oldham County Public Library, then you’re in for a treat. Not only will you find new facilities, but you’ll experience one of the greenest buildings in Kentucky.

A view of the LaGrange library's front entrance.

This main branch of the Oldham County Library system is seeking LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. If obtained, the building will be the first LEED-certified library in Kentucky. As of May 2007, there only were four LEED-certified buildings in Kentucky and 824 nationwide.

The library took the first step toward certification on 28 April 2007 by registering the construction project with the USGBC. Some of the eco-features you’ll experience at this library include:

• A building set on property to take full advantage of north-south light, as this is the most reliable natural light. Floor-to-ceiling windows are a feature along most walls
• Task lighting will be used for desks and work areas
• Geoexchange technology (a.k.a. a geothermal heat pump) used for heating and cooling, resulting in lower electricity use, lower utility bills and lower carbon dioxide emissions
• Rainwater is collected through a catchment system and used for toilet flushing and landscape watering
• Indoor materials such as paint and adhesives have low chemical emissions
• Construction waste is separated on-site and recycled
• Library furnishings and shelving is constructed of wood products rated by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which promotes responsible management of the world’s forests
• Construction materials also were purchased from regional manufacturers and the indoor air quality is monitored

One reason not to wait for the Writers’ Seminar to visit this new library is that you may not be able to enjoy the patios and the grounds during January. The library is using all native plants in the landscaping, including along the walking paths and on-site stream.

No matter the season, you can enjoy a larger computer facility, a central, double-sided fireplace surrounded by small
groupings of chairs and tables and a break room with vending machines. The library also can provide prime facilities for a meeting, and you’ll experience those amenities during the seminar.

Why wait for the Writers’ Seminar to visit or to become a member? Visit the library today!

• Location: 308 Yager Ave., LaGrange, KY 40031
• Phone: 502.222.9713
• Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Mon – Thurs; 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fri – Sat; Closed Sunday.
• Web site: http://www.oldhampl.org/
• Email: http://www.oldhampl.org/contactus.htm

More about this library’s goals and accomplishments:

• The Oldham Public Library has built a state of the art facility in LaGrange, the first “green” public library in Kentucky.
• It  has  30,000  square feet of space, a welcoming fireplace, a conference room and meeting rooms available for public use.
• It is conveniently located at 308 Yager Avenue, which is directly behind Oldham Plaza off Highway 53 in LaGrange.
• At the opening it housed 70,000 books, 54 public use computers and a new collection of dvds and cds with plenty of room to grow.
• During fiscal year 07- 08, there were 196,495 visits to the libraries, an increase of 9 percent.  There were 346,830 items were checked out.
• Nearly 16,000 children participated in our Story Hours and over 2000 children participated in the 2008 Summer Reading Program.
• Live Homework Help, an on-line tutoring service, is offered by the Library for children K-12, college introduction level students, homeschoolers and adult learners.
• Around 54,440 hours  of computer usage was logged by the public.
• The library has received awards from:
  • The National Endowment for the Humanities for an exhibit entitled “Picturing America”
  • The Kentucky Public Library Standards Commission awarded the Library with a “Comprehensive” rating even before the new library was completed.
  • The National Museum and Library Services Commission for several Innovation grants used for assistive features and digital equipment to benefit the community
• There was no library tax increase to fund this new library.
  • With the help of Senator Ernie Harris, Oldham County received a $1.5 million construction grant for the library from the Commonwealth in 2006. Construction was  also funded by $5,000,000 in general obligation bonds  Nearly $700,000 was saved in a building fund designated for construction from the Library’s general funds.  An annual contribution of $120,000 for 20 years from the Ky. Department of Libraries and Archives was awarded to retire debt incurred to construct the new building.