06/18/2026
Honoring Juneteenth at the Louisville Public Library
On June 19, the Louisville Public Library will join our City partners in observing Juneteenth, and the Library will be closed for the holiday.
Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in the United States learned of their freedom—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It stands as a powerful reminder of resilience, liberation, and the ongoing pursuit of equity and justice.
For public libraries, Juneteenth deeply aligns with our core values: expanding access to knowledge, uplifting diverse voices, preserving stories that shape our collective understanding, and fostering inclusive spaces where everyone feels seen and valued.
To support learning, reflection, and celebration, we’ve curated a special reading list for all ages: “Celebrating Freedom: Juneteenth Reads for All Ages.” Explore picture books, novels, nonfiction, and more that illuminate Black history, joy, creativity, and community.
You can browse the full list here: https://louisville.marmot.org/MyAccount/MyList/72779
We invite you to spend time with these stories as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and continue working toward a future rooted in equity and belonging. We look forward to welcoming you back when we reopen.
