Updates
A United Community's Call
This past Wednesday, members of our community gathered at the library board meeting, coming together to share our collective concerns and hopes for La Biblioteca Hispana. The meeting was brief, lasting around 20 minutes, and while the chair and the director gave us limited opportunity for engagement, the unity among those who attended was unmistakable.
The chair mentioned that their policy required a 24-hour notice for public comments, which limited the voices that could be heard. Although I had requested that multiple members of our group be allowed to speak, only I was granted the opportunity, despite the evident interest from others. One man, a retired professor, persisted in his desire to be heard, and the chair, checking with the director first, admitted one additional commenter. He spoke passionately about the importance of creating welcoming spaces, pointing out that in a city where over 10% of the population is Latino, it’s only fitting that the manager of a library dedicated to Latino outreach should be both Latino and bilingual. His words resonated deeply with the gathered community, who responded with overwhelming applause.
Despite the challenges, the strong turnout and the passion expressed by those who spoke show that there is a powerful, shared desire for positive change. As Friends to La Biblioteca Hispana, we know that by staying connected and continuing the conversation, we can work towards the improvements that will benefit everyone in our community.
In this spirit, we’re exploring ways for the community to come together and advocate more effectively. If you’re interested in joining these efforts or simply want to stay informed, please stay tuned for more updates.
We remain hopeful that the library will recognize this unity and respond in kind.
From Biblioteca Hispana to Marksbury: A Legacy Worth Reconnecting
Initially proposed as the “Lexington Public Library’s Biblioteca Hispana,” the Village Branch opened in 2004 with a modest beginning—six employees in a former auto parts store. But the vision was clear: to establish a specialized branch in Cardinal Valley that aligned with the Library’s Core Values of Diversity and Equity of Access.
This vision was underscored by a desire to better serve Lexington’s Hispanic population through a more culturally sensitive library tailored specifically to their needs. The initial proposal, along with two grant-related documents from its early years, were obtained through an Open Records Request in 2019.
Recognizing the challenges the Library faced in reaching Lexington’s growing Latino community, it was understood that the existing Biblioteca Hispana, led by Susy Aparicio, had successfully established a strong foundation of trust within the Hispanic community—something the public library had yet to achieve. The partnership with Biblioteca Hispana was seen as an opportunity to expand services, increase the library's collection, and develop new programs to meet the community's needs.
The importance of bilingual staff who could understand and relate to the cultural background of the Hispanic community was also emphasized, with plans specifically focused on hiring such staff.
These elements made the branch an immediate success, praised by the press, the library’s administration, nonprofit partners, and, most importantly, the neighborhood community.
A year after its opening, the Village Branch had become more than just a library; it had evolved into a de facto community center. The Herald-Leader highlighted this transformation in a 2005 article titled “Who Speaks for the Hispanics?” noting that the small strip mall library was filled with children playing on computers after school and adults seeking help with immigration or employment issues.
Branch manager Betty Abdmishani estimates there are at least 20 inquiries a day that have nothing to do with a traditional library's services.
“It's not 'What book should I read’’ They're more daily living questions. You get some serious ones," she said.
Last week, two women trying to rent an apartment came in confused why they hadn't received the key after paying the application fee, Abdmishani said. Staff members sorted out the misunderstanding by calling the apartment managers.
Staff try to help people as best they can, but when the questions get too technical, they refer them to the Maxwell Legal Clinic or the Cardinal Valley Center, she said.
The Library’s administration recognized the positive impact the branch was having and used its success to secure additional resources for expanding the mission. A grant request to the Knight Foundation in December 2005 emphasized the branch's role as a central hub for the Hispanic community in Lexington, highlighting its bilingual staff, culturally relevant programs, and the growing demand for services.
Among its notable successes were increased library attendance, with over 20,000 visitors in the first year, successful literacy programs like Boogie Bees and the Prime Time Family Reading Time program, and a variety of cultural events that fostered a sense of community. However, the branch faced ongoing challenges, particularly the need for more bilingual staff to meet the increasing demands.
By 2008, Village had grown in staffing and opening hours, with foot traffic more than tripling to 68,000 visitors. The expansion continued as LPL seized the opportunity to lease additional space in the strip mall, more than doubling the branch’s square footage. Despite these expansions, the branch maintained a nearly all-bilingual staff, ensuring that Spanish-speaking residents received the services they needed.
This commitment to bilingual staffing paid off, with visits skyrocketing to nearly a quarter million by 2011. However, around this time, under a new Library administration, some internal voices began to raise concerns about the branch's distinct approach. These concerns found a sympathetic ear, and the administration began to scale back the community center aspect of the Village Branch that had been so warmly received by the neighborhood.
Longtime staff members were reassigned to other branches in moves to make staffing and management more uniform across the system. The focus shifted away from the community’s needs to administrative expediency, resulting in fewer bilingual hires and reduced training opportunities for Spanish and cultural outreach.
When Betty retired in 2018, the Library’s administration did not select one of the candidates who would have continued the branch’s original mission. Instead, they appointed a preferred candidate who had not initially applied for the position. While this librarian was a skilled and dedicated professional, she was placed in a role that was not aligned with her predecessor’s approach, a decision that appeared intentional.
This change did not sit well with the staff and community, leading the library administration to acknowledge the need for a Spanish-speaking manager at the Village Branch. A memo sent to all Library staff in 2019 announced a nationwide search for a suitable candidate.
This search resulted in the appointment of Village’s third manager, who resigned abruptly during planning for what would become the new Marksbury Family Branch. The Library’s administration has since cited this chapter as a reason for preferring internal candidates for manager positions. It is worth noting, however, that Betty Abdmishani was herself an external candidate when she was hired.
Another internal manager was eventually appointed, but the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought additional challenges for all libraries. While other branches briefly reopened in late 2020, the Village Branch remained closed. When it finally reopened in 2021, traffic had dropped to less than a quarter of its peak. Village’s traffic continued to erode even as other branches slowly recovered, most nearing their pre-pandemic levels (Central being a troubling exception).
The opening of the new Marksbury Branch has also brought traffic back to Village’s pre-pandemic levels, but it has not reached the heights Village experienced during its period of full bilingual staffing and leadership. Some have referred to the new branch as “Central for people who don’t want to go downtown,” raising concern that the library, which began as an outreach initiative for the Latino community, has become more of a destination for commuters.
Looking ahead, the board and administration have a crucial choice: to reconnect the Marksbury Family Branch with its original mission or let it drift further from its roots. By prioritizing bilingual staff, cultural programming, and true community engagement, they can restore the library as a vital resource and gathering place for the Hispanic community.
Residents are encouraged to voice their support for La Biblioteca Hispana by contacting Heather Dieffenbach or by attending the upcoming board meeting at the Central Library, August 14th at 4:30 pm.
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Press Coverage for La Biblioteca Hispana / Village
Links require a Lexington Public Library card for access
Ku, M (2002) 'HISPANIC LIBRARY OPENS TODAY - BOOKS FOR CHILDREN ARE FOCUS FOR NOW', Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), 11 Jul, p. B1, (online NewsBank).
Lexington Herald-Leader (KY) (2002) 'EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK', 13 Jul, p. A12, (online NewsBank).
Ku, M (2004) 'LIBRARY TO OPEN CARDINAL VALLEY BRANCH - FACILITY WILL ACQUIRE BIBLIOTECA HISPANA'S BOOKS', Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), 16 Mar, p. B1, (online NewsBank).
Staff Report, H (2004) 'MAKING READING A FAMILY EVENT - BILINGUAL LIBRARY PROGRAM PROMOTES LITERACY AT HOME', Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), 8 Sep, p. D1, (online NewsBank).
Lexington Herald-Leader (KY) (2004) 'IT TAKES A VILLAGE BRANCH - YES, IT'S OPEN NEW LIBRARY CATERS TO LEXINGTON'S DIVERSE COMMUNITY', 19 Sep, p. C3, (online NewsBank).
Marr, E (2005) 'VILLAGE BRANCH A BIG HIT WITH PATRONS - ONE YEAR OLD, LIBRARY PLAYS VITAL ROLE IN LARGELY SPANISH-SPEAKING COMMUNITY', Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), 14 Sep, p. D1, (online NewsBank).
Lannen, S (2005) 'WHO SPEAKS FOR HISPANICS? - IMMIGRANTS IN LEXINGTON OFTEN SEE NO ONE AS THEIR ADVOCATE', Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), 28 Nov, p. A1, (online NewsBank).
Column by Pablo Alcala, P (2006) 'NUESTRO KENTUCKY - GIVING IT A WHIRL', Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), 13 Dec, p. E1, (online NewsBank).
Ogawa, J (2007) 'PRE-SCHOOLERS LEARNING SPANISH - NEVER TOO EARLY BILINGUAL EDUCATION BECOMING POPULAR WITH PARENTS', Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), 10 Apr, p. B1, (online NewsBank).
Welcoming the New Manager and Suggestions for Improvement
Since this op-ed was originally published, the Lexington Public Library has named a new manager for the Marksbury Family Branch. While I don’t know him to be bilingual, he has been with the library for over two decades, and I and many others hold him in high regard for his dedication and service.
I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to the new manager and wish him the greatest success in his new role. Additionally, I say again that the frontline staff of the Marksbury Library, like all of our public libraries, are dedicated public servants who continue to provide a wide range of excellent services to the community. I understand some of my words have caused them distress, and for this, I sincerely apologize.
At the same time, I reiterate the importance of continued and expanded outreach by management and the library administration to the local Latino community, which has been a core part of the branch's mission since its inception.
In conversations with community members, several suggestions have emerged that could help bridge the current gap in engagement and better serve the diverse needs of the neighborhood:
- Establish an Advisory Committee: Create a Marksbury Family Branch advisory committee composed of neighborhood residents. This committee would provide ongoing feedback and recommendations to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that the library remains responsive to the community's evolving needs.
- Offer Optional Paid Language Training: Reintroduce optional paid training for library staff in Spanish and other languages that are increasingly encountered at the library. Many staff members benefitted from LPL-provided Spanish training during the first decade of the Village Library, and similar opportunities could empower staff to better serve all patrons.
- Reevaluate Hiring Policies: Consider modifying hiring policies for Manager and above positions to require longer external postings. The current administration has expressed difficulties in finding qualified bilingual candidates and hiring externally for managerial roles. However, it’s worth noting that under these current hiring practices, key figures like Betty Abdmishani might never have been hired.
- Develop a Strategic Plan for Outreach: Invest in developing a strategic plan specifically aimed at ongoing outreach to Lexington's immigrant and ESOL populations. This plan could help ensure that the library remains a welcoming and vital resource for all residents, regardless of their language or background.
I believe these steps would honor the legacy and mission of La Biblioteca Hispana, absorbed by LPL in 2004, while also positioning the Marksbury Family Branch as a leader in community engagement and inclusivity. I look forward to seeing how the library continues to grow and evolve under its new leadership.
Residents are encouraged to voice their support for La Biblioteca Hispana by contacting Heather Dieffenbach or by attending the upcoming board meeting at the Central Library, August 14th at 4:30 pm.
Two Councilmember Support Our Request!
Thank you to Lexington Vice Mayor Dan Wu for sharing my article and adding his voice of support for bilingual leadership of Marksbury!
Councilwoman Jennifer Reynolds, representing the 11th district that is home to the Marksbury Library, has long supported a revived bilingual leadership for this branch and has voiced her support to the library's management. One of the Library Trustees also reached out who was very supportive of increased outreach to the Latino community and hopes the public will attend the next board meeting.
The public response has been overwhelmingly positive to our call on Facebook, Reddit, and in several private online communities. Thank you for standing up for the Spanish-speaking community of Lexington!
If you haven't yet, please send a short email to Library Director Heather Dieffenbach to ask for a bilingual leader for the Marksbury Library.
No Spanish Currently Required
The position description provided by the library for the Marksbury replacement does not mention Spanish or Latino outreach. It's just their standard Branch Manager job description.
It also does not require a Master's of Library Science (MLS) which Manager positions required in the past. We hope this will enable more community-engaged applicants to be given consideration!
Zoom Link Provided!
The library has provided a link to the meeting on zoom for people who cannot attend in person to watch online.
Herald-Leader Publishes Op-Ed
The Herald-Leader published my opinion article calling for bilingual leadership at Marksbury. Thank you to Linda Blackford and Rick Green of the Herald-Leader for sharing our message with their audience!
The Lexington Public Library’s newest branch is losing its manager. After six years of short-term leadership and long gaps between appointments, the vibrant community once centered around the Village Library has languished.
Your Voice Matters!
Contact the Director
Speak directly with the library director, Heather Dieffenbach.
hdieffenbach@lexpublib.org 859-231-5599Attend the Board Meeting
Join the next board meeting to show your support.
Central Library
140 East Main Street, 5th Floor
August 14th at 4:30 PM
Revitalizing the Hispanic Library requires Bilingual Leadership
The Lexington Public Library’s newest branch is losing its manager. After six years of short-term leadership and long gaps between appointments, the vibrant community once centered around the Village Library has languished. The Library’s administration has an opportunity now to reestablish the previous model of success and honor the commitments they made 20 years ago by hiring a bilingual community leader to helm Village’s replacement, the Marksbury Family Branch.
In 2002, longtime resident and social worker Susy Aparicio, a native of Ecuador, opened a small Spanish-language library off Versailles Road, la Biblioteca Hispana. This humble initiative aimed to help the growing Spanish-speaking community access materials and services in their language. Initially unaffiliated with the Public Library, Aparicio and her volunteers built a collection that surpassed the Public Library’s Spanish offerings and established a network of supportive organizations and businesses.
Two years later, the Public Library absorbed Aparicio’s growing organization, opening the Village Library with a promise to carry on its mission of outreach. Under the leadership of Kathleen Imhoff and the compassionate direction of Betty Abdmishani, a Cuban-American immigrant, the Village Library became a hub for Lexington’s Hispanic community.
Opening day was a fully bilingual celebration filled with traditional Mexican dancers, puppet shows, and book giveaways. Betty Abdmishani was a pivotal figure, ensuring the library was more than just a place to check out books — it was a community center, a support group, and a lifeline for many.
Betty and her staff cultivated and expanded the relationships Aparicio had begun, bringing dozens of partnering organizations into Village to expand offerings for all residents. Under her leadership, Village instituted the city's first free homework help program, eventually serving over 700 children a month (I was the math guy; librarians tend to hate it).
She described the branch as “a referral agency, a school, a daycare, and a store.” However, her community-centered approach didn't sit well with everyone.
After Imhoff and key supportive board members departed in 2009, the new Hammond administration began pulling back support for Village’s partnerships and bilingual staff. When Betty retired in 2018, the administration refused to consider multiple bilingual applicants, leading to community and staff discontent.
The Village Library saw a dramatic 25% drop in daily visitor count due to short-term managers and administrative neglect, as revealed by a request made under our Open Records Act. Marksbury Family Branch has not reversed this trend, failing so far to engage the local Hispanic community effectively.
This is by no means the fault of the dedicated front-line staff, who remain committed to helping anyone who comes through their doors. A long-term lack of administrative support and community outreach from leadership has led to stagnating connections with local residents.
One local community leader and advocate suggested that the Public Library’s Board would be wise to establish an Advisory Committee specific to the new library, as a way to maintain an ongoing connection with residents in the area who are often hard to reach.
Now under the leadership of Executive Director Heather Dieffenbach, the Library finds itself again at the same crossroads with the manager role on Versailles Road. She and the board will decide whether to seize this opportunity, on the heels of a new branch launch, to recommit to the community outreach that brought them to Cardinal Valley. Or, if they stay the course, the new Marksbury Family Branch might continue as a beautiful, underused monument to the community that once thrived there.
Residents can voice their support for hiring a bilingual community leader for the new branch by contacting Heather Dieffenbach or by attending the upcoming board meeting at the Central Library, August 14th at 4:30 pm. Visit lexbiblioteca.org for updates.
