As the South Central Regional Library nears its first anniversary, there is a lot to celebrate. In addition to hosting outstanding educational programming, cultural events, and first-class service, South Central is now award-winning as well! The new 40,000-square-foot library located near the Jefferson Mall just received The American Architectural Award for 2018. The American Architectural Awards®—presented by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, together with The European Center for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and Metropolitan Arts Press—are the nation’s highest and most prestigious distinguished building awards program that honor new and cutting-edge design in the United States. South Central was one of only 100 projects recognized nationally.
Since opening last July, the South Central Regional Library has enhanced service for more than 160,000 people in south central Jefferson County, with new books and cutting-edge technology. The eco-friendly, LEED* Gold-certified facility houses more than 100,000 books and features two large community meeting rooms; several smaller rooms for studying, reading, and collaborating; and dedicated spaces for teens and children. New technologies at South Central include plenty of computers and free internet access, plus a laptop kiosk for patrons to checkout laptops for use within the library. An average of 18,160 people visit South Central each month and have checked out 272,000 books and other materials.
The South Central Regional is also home to the COLLIDER artist-in-residence program. The COLLIDER hosts an array of artists and craftspeople from across the community – rotating monthly – including those working in visual arts, traditional crafts, music, dance, and digital art. Generous funding from Councilwoman Madonna Flood enabled the creation of the necessary space, artist equipment and materials, as well as a stipend for participating artists. Since the COLLIDER opened, the Library has hosted 11 artists working more than 600 studio hours and presenting more than 40 free public workshops. The artist-in-residence program has made innovative and interactive arts education accessible to hundreds of adults, teens, children, and families in the community. To learn more about the COLLIDER, visit www.LFPL.org/Collider.
The South Central Regional Library design team included JRA Architects of Louisville, Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle Ltd. of Minneapolis, MKSK of Louisville, and library staff.
The community is invited to celebrate South Central’s one year anniversary on Saturday, July 21 at 3 p.m. with live music from the Kosair Brass Band and free refreshments. For more information, call (502) 964-3515.
If You Visit
The South Central Regional Library is located at 7300 Jefferson Boulevard. 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 an English Conversation Club. Search the library’s online calendar at www.LFPL.org/events for upcoming program dates and times.
*About LEED
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, an internationally recognized green building certification system providing third-party verification that a building was designed and built sustainably and with low environmental impact.
LEED certification takes into account all aspects of design, construction, and operation – from the building site, to construction materials, to how energy efficient the building is. The South Central Regional Library incorporates advanced “green” technologies and architectural design to save energy and minimize impact on the environment. Green features include geothermal heating and cooling, daylight harvesting interior lighting, environmentally-friendly furniture and flooring, and energy efficient windows and fixtures.
In 2009, the Newburg Library became Metro government’s first LEED-certified building. South Central is the most recent LEED-certified library, joining the Southwest, Fairdale, and Newburg branches.
