Kentucky State Library

05/25/2026

Country music is woven into the heart of Kentucky’s culture and history. From front porch pickin’ to world-famous stages, the Commonwealth has helped shape the sounds and stories that define American music. For this reason, we are celebrating the birthday of country music legend Tom T. Hall, who was born in Olive Hill, Carter County, KY in 1936. Known as “The Storyteller,” he captured everyday life through songs filled with honesty, humor, and heart. With timeless hits like “Harper Valley PTA” and “I Love,” his songwriting legacy continues to influence artists and fans around the world. Learn more about Tom T Hall https://buff.ly/d8c4vG1 and explore his story and those of other iconic Kentucky musicians https://buff.ly/qYRk96j

05/22/2026

The State Library will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Messages may be left at [email protected] or 502-564-8378. We will contact you upon our return Tuesday.

05/20/2026

Celebrate World Bee Day 2026! Bees do so much more than make honey. They play a vital role in pollinating the plants that support our ecosystems, food supply, and communities. World Bee Day 2026 highlights the important partnership between people and bees in supporting healthy communities and sustaining life on our planet. Learn more https://buff.ly/ALbGJZ7 and explore one of our bee books. For fun, search our catalog https://buff.ly/qYRk96j and see if you can discover how many titles we hold that have Bee or Honey in the title 😊 Share your results in the comments.

This year’s theme “Bee Together for People and the Planet - A partnership that sustains us all” aims to stress the strong and long-lasting partnership betwee...

05/13/2026

State employees - trusted information is just a few clicks away with EBSCO’s MasterFILE Premier. Whether you're researching public policy, workforce trends, health topics, education, business, or current events, MasterFILE Premier provides access to thousands of full-text magazines, journals, reference books, and primary source documents all in one searchable platform. It also includes millions of photos, maps, and other research resources to support informed decision-making. Take advantage of this powerful research tool to support your work and better serve your community. Navigate to our research database page on kdla.ky.gov and click the KYVL icon for access. https://buff.ly/WxP4EbH

05/08/2026

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. In 2026, let’s continue making mental health conversations more open, compassionate, and stigma-free. Learn more https://tinyurl.com/22j9gsds and check out one of our many books on mental health and wellness https://buff.ly/qYRk96j . Mental health is just as important as physical health. You do not have to carry everything alone.

Mental Health Awareness Month provides a chance to stand with your community and show that no one struggles alone.

05/04/2026

04/27/2026

Happy National Tell a Story Day! Every story has the power to connect us, inspire us, spark our imaginations, and bring our communities together. Today is the perfect day to share a favorite tale, create a new one, or revisit a beloved classic with a book or CD from KDLA’s Storytelling Collection. Created with the hope that this collection will help others discover the power and wonder of storytelling, this collection was carefully curated with assistance from the International Storytelling Center in Jonesboro, TN, a premiere educational, arts, and cultural institution dedicated to enriching lives and building a better world through the power of storytelling. Learn more about our collection here https://buff.ly/VCDWCs5 .

04/22/2026

The 2026 Kentucky Writing Workshop, a full-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing conference, will be held this Friday in Louisville at the Kentucky International Convention Center 9:30 am – 5:00 pm EST. If you are an aspiring writer, you can register here https://buff.ly/Hbb8Zgh.