Louisville Western Branch Library

Marker replaced with updated text, June 2022:

Louisville Western Branch Library

Opened in October 1908, this

Carnegie-endowed library was

the first public library in the

nation built to provide services

to the Black community during

the Jim Crow Era. Administered

by an all Black staff, it was

originally established in 1905

in William M. Andrews' residence

at 1125 W. Chestnut, now gone.

Louisville Free Public Library

Rev. Thomas F. Blue

Pioneering Black librarian Rev.

Thomas F. Blue (1866-1935),

joined the branch in 1905 as

head librarian. His service to

this community was equaled by

his goal to educate others in

library science. His apprentice

program for librarians attracted

Black students from across the

nation & became a model for

libraries in the South.

[Reverse]

Louisville Western Branch Library - Thomas F. Blue (1866-1935), a theologian by training, joined the branch in 1908 as librarian. He designed a training program for blacks in library science which was instituted on a national scale. The library has served also as a community and cultural center for many years.