Keeneland has donated $100,000 to the Lexington Public Library Foundation’s capital campaign for the new Marksbury Family Branch to open on Versailles Road late this year. 

“Our support of the Lexington Public Library Foundation continues Keeneland’s founding mission to enhance the quality of life in our community,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “In this case, the Marksbury Family Branch will positively impact a neighborhood where many horse industry workers and their families live. We are thrilled to have a resource nearby for these families to take advantage of important educational opportunities.”

The new two-story facility will include community and study rooms, a dedicated classroom, makerspace, outdoor reading area, expanded adult and children’s areas, and a drive-thru window where customers can pick up and return borrowed materials. The Library Foundation has committed to raising $5.3 million in support of the $18 million project through a public-private partnership.

“It’s been exciting for Keeneland to have a hand in making the Marksbury Family Branch a reality,” Keeneland Senior Director of Operations and Community Relations Kara Heissenbuttel said. “As a state-of-the-art space, this facility offers tremendous potential to both welcome visitors to Lexington and to serve people of all backgrounds.”   

The Library will name a 16-seat meeting room on the first floor of the Marksbury Family Branch in Keeneland’s honor.