City Library is a major, new, world-class destination that redefines the role of libraries in the 21st century. City Library is a special project — one that encapsulates Covington’s diverse history, its sense of identity, its optimism for the future and its belief in the power of knowledge, learning and culture. It is a flagship project for the city plan, which will drive forward the next 20 years of development. The new library represents the spirit of this new era.

A key cornerstone of Covington City Council’s plan to regenerate the city, the new library will be a hub for the region and an engine for the knowledge and creative economies, linking the people of Covington to the world and bringing the world to northern Kentucky.

Why City Library?

A strong library system contributes to the economic, educational and cultural vitality of our region. Covington’s existing Library is the city’s most visited pub-lic building. However there are major problems with the building, which was built in the early 1970s. The fabric is in very poor condition and the design unsuitable for modern-day needs. The storage capacity and environment, and level of public access for archives, photography and rare printed collections are unacceptably poor given their national and international significance. City Library will provide an exceptional solution to this.

What will City Library Offer?

City Library will be highly accessible and family-friendly, providing a dy-namic mix of events, activities and performances together with outstanding resources, exhibitions and access to expert help for information and learning. In addition, Covington is unique for the depth and range of its archives and special collections, with large parts of the collections designated as having national and international importance by the National Archives. These rich and extensive resources will be a major attraction. The new building will pro-vide state-of-the art exhibition space, which — together with on line access to the digital library — will open up the collections to audiences more than ever before.

Other facilities will include a flexible studio theatre, maker space, garden terraces, an outdoor amphitheatre and other informal performance/forum ar-eas, and dedicated spaces for children and teenagers. City Library will also provide free access to thousands of rare films from the National Archives. Transforming library services offered regionally, City Library will provide access to information for everyone, whether in the building, online or through collaborations with community libraries and other programming partners.

Digital Library

Digital media will be an integral part of life at City Library — vital to future service delivery, which will be based on a model of enabling. There will be free computer and wireless access throughout the building, while interactive and projection technology will bring the collections and visitor experience alive. Always open on-line through a brand new website and social networks, City Library’s world-class resources will be accessible from anywhere in the world, 24/7/365.

Technology will unlock the potential for citizens, organizations and partners to actively participate in delivering a world-class library and archive service. The on-line library will provide an information exchange forum and hub for extended community life, just as the building will be a physical hub — bring-ing together individuals, groups, businesses and communities.

Opening CelebrationSaturday, September 104:00 – 10:00 pmRooftop Garden and Amphitheater

Learning Knowledge Culture

L I B R A R Y