FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mayor Greenberg, Louisville Free Public Library reopen renovated Portland Library
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (December 2, 2025) – Today, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg joined Louisville
Free Public Library Executive Director Heather Lowe, Councilwoman Donna Purvis, and other
city and community leaders to welcome the public back to the fully renovated and expanded
Portland Library.
“Every neighborhood in Louisville deserves access to a great library, so I’ve made it a priority to
build, rebuild, and renovate libraries across our community,” said Mayor Greenberg. “This new
library embodies the rich history and strong sense of community in the Portland neighborhood
and gives people a safe space to gather, learn, and access resources that improve their lives.”
Originally established in 1905 and housed in a Carnegie-funded building since 1913, the
Portland Library, located at 3305 Northwestern Pkwy., is the third oldest in the LFPL system.
The building has now been transformed into a modern, fully accessible community space that
blends the charm of its 1913 Carnegie architecture with a new, contemporary 5,400-squarefoot addition. The updated facility features a larger collection of books and materials, additional
computers, separate children’s and teen areas, comfortable furnishings, meeting spaces, and a
makerspace.
“The Portland Library’s reopening is an exciting milestone. This achievement reflects the
commitment of residents, city leaders, private donors, and supporters to make Louisville’s
libraries world-class,” said Library Executive Director Heather Lowe. “Now Portland residents
have a modern, expanded, and fully accessible library designed with welcoming spaces and
resources for all.”
“The Portland Library has always been a special place for this neighborhood,” said
Councilwoman Donna Purvis, District 5. “Its reopening means our community once again has a
place to learn, connect, and grow together. This new chapter is something everyone in Portland
can be proud of.”
The design team for the project included JRA Architects of Louisville and LFPL staff. Sullivan &
Cozart managed the construction project. The library project was paid for with funds allocated
by Mayor Greenberg and Louisville Metro Council through capital and American Rescue Plan
funds, with additional funding for books, furnishings, and other materials raised through the
Louisville Free Public Library Foundation’s One Library One Louisville Capital Campaign.
“The Portland community has a deep sense of pride and place, and this renovated library
reflects that spirit. We are deeply thankful to more than 320 donors—including the James
Graham Brown Foundation, the Francis N. Alden Charitable Trust, Frank and Paula Harshaw,
Jean Frazier, the Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana, Gheens Foundation, Boyd Company, and
the Sociable Weaver Foundation—for helping reopen the Portland and Parkland libraries and
expand LFPL’s reach in Fern Creek and at the Main Library downtown,” said Library Foundation
Executive Director Chandra Gordon.
Portland Library Family Fun Day
The celebration continues with Family Fun Day on Saturday, December 6, from 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. Families can enjoy free activities and performances, a family storytime, book giveaways,
and more! For additional information, visit LFPL.org, or call (502) 574-1832.
If you visit the Portland Library
The hours of operation are Monday–Thursday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Friday-Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
and Sundays: 1 p.m.-5 p.m. The library hosts a variety of free programs, classes, and events
every month for adults and youth including weekly storytimes and makerspace programs.
Search the library’s online calendar at LFPL.org/events for a complete list of upcoming program
dates and times.
In addition, meeting rooms can be reserved by community groups and organizations for free.
For more information, call (502) 574-1744 or visit LFPL.org/meeting-rooms.htm.
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Louisville Free Public Library connects the residents of Louisville and Jefferson County to knowledge and
information at our Library locations and online at LFPL.org. Come on in, the whole world’s inside.
