The Lexington Public Library began as a reading room established in 1895. The present library building was built in 1913 at the corner of South and Cedar Streets. It was built with money left to the library by Emily Smith Van Dolah. The facade of the building still carries the name The Smith Library to this day. In 1951 the a library district was formed and the name was changed to the Lexington Public Library District.

Past Librarians:

Mary Gray
Lela Goddard
Ella Doonan
Angie Mahan
Nellie Brown
Beulah Haushalter
Frances Hanson
Anna Pierson
Daisy Bishop
Hazel Claggett
Bessie Smith
Myrtle Weidner
Phyllis Tracy
Linda Hutchins