Okolona Branch
7709 Preston Highway
Louisville, Kentucky 40219
(502) 954-3515
A spectacular quilt made by the Okolona Women's Club, on permanent display in the meeting room here, showcases the history and community pride of Okolona. (more...)
Hours
- Mon. - Thurs. 10 - 9
- Fri., Sat. 10 - 5
- Sunday 1 - 5
Directories
- Suburban Directory Available
Directions
The Okolona Branch is located at 7709 Preston Highway, about 1/2 block north of the Outer Loop between the BB&T and Ernesto's directly across the street from Arby's.
From I-65 - Take exit #127 for the Outer Loop. Head east and go about one mile until you get to Preston Highway. Get in the left turn lane. Once on Preston Highway, go about 1/2 block. The library is on the right in a brick building that stands alone next to the BB&T and directly across the street from Arby's.
From 265 -- Snyder Freeway - Take exit #10 for I-65 north. Go about one and a half miles to exit #127 for the Outer Loop. Head east and go about one mile until you get to Preston Highway. Get in the left turn lane. Once on Preston Highway, go about 1/2 block. The library is on the right in a brick building that stands alone between the BB&T and Ernesto's, directly across the street from Arby's.
From 264 -- Watterson Expressway - Take 264 to the I-65 South exit (#12) Go about 4 miles until you get to exit #127 for the Outer Loop. Go east approximately one mile until you get to Preston Highway. Get in the left turn lane. Once on Preston Highway, go about 1/2 block. The library is on the right in a brick building that stands alone between the BB&T and Ernesto's, directly across the street from Arby's.
From Outer Loop, east of Preston, Jefferson Mall area - Head west on Outer Loop toward I-65. Take a right onto Preston Highway. Once on Preston Highway, go about 1/2 block. The library is on the right in a brick building that stands alone between the BB&T and Ernesto's, directly across the street from Arby's.
From Fern Valley Road - Head south on Preston Highway. Go approximately 1 1/2 mile, and go ALMOST to the Outer Loop. Landmarks close to the library include Wendy's and Taco Bell on the right side, Pizza Hut on the left, Okolona Elementary School on the right, Hooters on the left, then Ernesto's on the left. The library is on the left just beyond Ernesto's; Arby's is directly across the street. The BB&T is to the right of the library.
Enter your starting location for exact directions
Map
History
Though memories have been handed down through the years of bookshelves in stores where one could "borrow" to read, the first official library in Okolona was established in 1958 in the Okolona Community Center (which later became the Okolona Woman’s Club on Blue Lick Road). Mrs. Stanley Williams was the first librarian, with the able assistance and direction of Ms. Mary Morgan, librarian at Southern High School. Okolona Woman's Club members manned the facility that started with 800 donated books.
Growth demanded a move to Southern High School, and from there the library moved to quarters in a mobile unit in the shopping center across from Southern. In 1985 a new library was constructed at 8003-R Preston on property donated by Cumberland Bank. Growth then demanded another move . . . this time when places were exchanged with the Jefferson County Police and Employees Credit Union at 7709 Preston in 1990, the present location. This new building opened in April 1991 with 5000 square feet of library space. The Okolona Branch's most recent project was completed in March 1997 when the library renovated and expanded to 9000 square feet.
The Okolona Branch is a thriving place with Adult and Children’s programs, PCs with Internet access, computer classes, and a substantial book collection.
