Use the library: free rooms, a podcast studio and makerspaces in Lexington

Start with a free library card

Cards are free for people who live, work, own property or go to school in Fayette County, and for residents of 16 nearby counties: Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott and Woodford. Other Kentucky residents pay a $10 fee; people outside Kentucky aren't eligible. Bring a photo ID with your current address, or a photo ID plus proof of address such as a recent bill; workers, property owners, students and other-county residents bring one more document. A parent or guardian applies for anyone under 18. You can fill in the form online first and finish at any branch, and the library no longer charges late fines.

• Get a library card
• Fine free library

Meeting rooms: free, booked ahead by groups

Meeting rooms at all six locations are free. Nonprofits, businesses and community groups can reserve one from 72 hours to 90 days ahead on the library's site, or by calling 859-231-5504 for anything sooner. Individuals can't book ahead for a private meeting but can use a room as a walk-in, and anyone can reserve ahead to study. Bring your own markers, cords and projector adapters, meet during regular hours, and covered drinks and some food are allowed. At Central Library, the garage off Main and Vine Streets gives two hours of validated parking.

• Reserve a room
• Meeting room terms

Small study rooms: first come, two hours

Beaumont, Eastside, Marksbury Family, Northside and Tates Creek have small study rooms, first come, first served, with a two-hour limit; they can't be reserved ahead. Central Library isn't on that list. To book a quiet room ahead for studying, reserve a meeting room instead.

• Study rooms and meeting rooms

Northside Digital Studio: podcasts, video and old tapes

The Digital Studio at the Northside Branch, 1733 Russell Cave Road, has a new podcast studio with microphones, cameras and lights, a green-screen production studio, an audio booth with musical instruments, and gear to digitize cassettes, records, VHS, slides and negatives. Its Mac lab has Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro and Pro Tools, and staff give one-on-one help. First-timers sign the library's Experiential Learning Equipment Agreement; ages 13 to 17 sign with a guardian. Flash drives are for sale, but bring storage for big projects. The library's pages don't say how to book the podcast or production studio, how long a session runs or the studio's hours, so ask staff before you go.

• Northside Digital Studio
• Learning space equipment

Makerspaces at Eastside and Marksbury

The Eastside Branch Makerspace, 3000 Blake James Drive, is for ages 13 and up; the Marksbury Family Branch Makerspace, 2197 Versailles Road, welcomes all ages, with children under 13 working alongside a caregiver who has signed the agreement. Both are free and have laser engravers, large-format printers, 3D printers, Cricut machines, sewing machines and heat presses; Eastside adds a serger and Marksbury an embroidery machine and mug presses. Laser engravers and large-format printers need a reservation on weekdays and are first come, first served on open weekends. You buy supplies like filament and vinyl there or bring your own for some machines, and people 13 and up who live in Fayette or a nearby county get an $8 credit each month for materials.

• Eastside Makerspace
• Marksbury Family Branch Makerspace
• Equipment and reservations

STEAM Lab at Central Library, for kids and families

The Kloiber Foundation STEAM Lab is on Central Library's fourth floor at 140 East Main Street, with Lego Club, Maker Station, Open STEAM Play, weekly drop-ins, homeschool activities and programs during school breaks. Children 12 and under can use its 3D printer with a caregiver who has signed the agreement. For a group of 10 or more, call 859-231-5500, extension 1147, first.

• Kloiber Foundation STEAM Lab

What the library's pages don't say

As of October 26, 2026, the pages we read don't say whether you can use a computer without a card, how the Wi-Fi works, what printing and copying cost, or the makerspaces' open studio hours. They also don't say whether a card is needed for the learning spaces. Ask at any desk or call the library before you plan around one of these.

• Lexington Public Library

Official sources for this guide

• Central Library: visitor information

  Last checked October 19, 2026.

• Northside Branch: visitor information

  Last checked October 25, 2026.

• Marksbury Family Branch: visitor information

  Last checked October 21, 2026.

Conditions can change after a recorded check. Recheck visitor information before leaving.