This library is an excellent place to host an event and a true community resource. I have attended…read moreseveral events here, from CreativeMornings to a minority career fair, and every experience has been well organized and welcoming. The space is gorgeous, flexible, and works beautifully for both professional and creative gatherings. We also host our neighborhood meetings here, which has been a great experience. The library consistently offers free classes, helpful staff, and access to a wide range of resources that make it more than just a place to study or work. It genuinely serves the community. When I am there working or attending events, I always try to sit by the windows overlooking the courtyard. The view of the skyline is a bonus and makes long days feel lighter. Highly recommend this library for events, meetings, or simply spending a productive day.

The central library is an amazing resource for families and individuals. They offer great classes…read moreand programming. I participated in a linocut workshop and enjoyed learning a new skills - for free! I have also attended some great speaker series and conferences here. The kids zone is a great place to spend an hour or two with a toddler. The parking garage only costs a few dollars and there is a ton to keep my daughter busy. She loves the magnet wall, toys, and visual displays. I also check out digital books through the Libby app. The team there is always helpful. Thanks for all you do!

When Danville Public Library, also known as Danville-Center Township Public Library, was first…read morecreated in 1902, Danville was home to Central Normal College. Local businessmen felt that the community should also finally have its own public library. Danville received a grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (the first of four Carnegie libraries in Hendricks County), and the library was birthed in 1903 with 1,000 books. Over the years, the library has grown with additions in 1979, 1999, and in 2016. Now, the library offers books, audiobooks, e-books, DVDs, magazines, newspapers, streaming digital services, and computer access/free wi-fi. While the library wasn't accessible in its early days, with each subsequent addition that has improved. While you still get the historic facade (and lots of steps), it's pretty easy to get into this two-story building now. As Katherine A. noted in her review, adult books (get your mind out of the gutter) are on the second floor, kids are on the first floor, and there are study areas and a classroom. There's a small parking lot and the area around the library is pretty good with access. I'm also a big fan of the Indiana Room, a source for genealogy (especially Hendricks county related) with cemetery records, court records, land records, church records, newspapers, and more. As an out-of-towner, sometimes you feel awkward when you go into a different town/city's library. I do it often when I'm on one of my Tenderness Tour events because they tend to be a safe place to rest, use internet, and use a restroom. Yet, I found folks here to be friendly and welcoming. I definitely would return when I'm in the area. Yes, this is a smaller library. If you're expecting to compare it to Indy's libraries, you'll likely be disappointed (except some of Indy's smaller branches like Spades). However, it's a lovely library with friendly people and even the patrons I met here were quite hospitable.

Danville Public Library began its roots as an Andrew Carnegie funded building which first opened in…read more1903. The original limestone neoclassical building stands as an entrance to the modern facility today. The facility has undergone three expansions and renovations over the years to modernize and accommodate the growing collection of books, audio and video collections and more. The most recent renovation was completed on 2017. Most of the historical features of the Carnegie interior were removed or relocated during the modernization . One of the original marble fireplaces was moved to the Genealogy Room on the second floor with some of the early paintings. A second fireplace mantle was relocated to the Children's play/work room. A new main entrance was added to increase accessibility to the facility. Adult books are stored on the 2nd floor, while children's books and a play area are located on the lower floor. A classroom and study area are also located on the first floor. Library administration has offices on the second floor as well. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful and willing to describe the history of the facility. The library sponsors summer reading and other programs throughout the year. There is a small dedicated parking lot behind the building and street parking around the building.

My afternoon "office" for a few hours, I spent my time here pounding out emails and (quietly)…read moredialed in to a Zoom bridge or two. A comfortable work space in the corner where my laptops and phone plugged in and charged. The library is quite large and spacious. Lots of interesting spaces, tons of stacks of books, I thought the shelf of role playing game kits was a unique offering. You do not need to be a local resident in order to use the library, only to borrow materials. [Review 20560 overall - 98 in Indiana - 1541 of 2023.]

SO I was nervous to go to this location which was so silly in hindsight (to go to the downtown…read morelocation) because I'm spoiled by the Southside location by my house. Extensive water damage has closed the Southern location till at least June 2024 so here I was looking for kids' North Dakota books for a school report. Not only did I find an extensive amount of books for my son, I got him some graphic novels, some launchpads, some free seeds from the seed library and a free subscription to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. I was also intrigued by the library of mysterious things upstairs. The ambience was clean, well thought out, and the staff was superb. I will be back without hesitation. I heard there is a drive-through to drop stuff off for parents with young kids. I have noticed there were a ton of parents and small children there for various groups. Looks promising!

The Public Library in Covington is an original Carnegie Library. The staff had retained immaculate…read morerecords of the history of the library that I was allowed to review. The Covington Women's Club prepared the grant request and Andrew Carnegie provided $10,000 for construction. Construction began in 1913 and was completed in 1914. The Neoclassical building was designed by Liese & Ludwig, Danville, Illinois. The library is on the National Register of Historic Places. During WWII, the assembly room was used by the American Red Cross as a sewing room and during the Great Depression, the W.P.A. Used the basement as a sewing room. (They kept amazing notes, probably the best details I've see of any Carnegie Library.) The exterior is a dark brick with clay tile roof. Inside, beautiful original oak trim and furnishings exist throughout. Several paintings by local artists hang including a mural by Eugene Savage. The building had been expanded to provide accessibility with an elevator and accessible entrance. The expansion also provided additional space to increase the holdings. A children's area downstairs held books and a small play area. Upstairs were adult books, dvds, and a bay of computers for public use. There were five staff members working during our visit. There is free parking. This is a beautiful little library.

The Carmel Clay Public Library is as fabulous as you'd expect from Carmel. Think an upscale version…read moreof the Louvre with books and you are getting close. And they've got so much more than books. I visited today and was offered a tour of their Digital Media Lab. Patrons of the library can take advantage of several 3-D printers and only pay for supplies. Cricut machines and software are available to create card, paper products, tee shirt transfers, mugs and more. A state-of-the-art video studio and several audio studios are available for aspiring performers. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and proactively helpful. I got inspiration for an upcoming project that I am working on for a family reunion. One of the staffers printed off information that I needed for my project. The children's area of the library is huge, filled with books, discovery lab, reading areas and an activity room. Toddlers were playing with a few toys during my visit. Upstairs, I found a massive collection of videos and adult books. Several banks of computers were buzzing with patrons taking advantage of the free service. The staff was friendly and happy to show where to find specific books. Comfy seating and work spaces are scattered throughout the facility. Several conference rooms can be reserved for community use. The building is beautiful with a modern architecture that lets in lots of natural light. There is a featured art wall in the lower level. A bookstore and coffee shop are available near the main entrance. There is a parking garage on the south side of the building complete with EV plug stations. Restroom facilities are upscale and immaculate. The library is an easy 5 stars and sets a high standard for libraries.

I absolutely love this library! With an in house Java Coffee shop, the greatest library store and…read moreplenty of activities then it's a great place to spend the day! I went there recently on my birthday and found many interesting books in their shop and as I checked out even found a beautiful journal to choose as my one free item. I love that the shop also has games.

The Roachdale Public Library is a charming little library that had its start from a grant from…read moreAndrew Carnegie. The brick structure was built in 1913 and follows standard floorplan typical of the later Carnegie Libraries. The Library maintains most of its original woodwork and furnishings. The main level holds adult books and children's books are on the lower level. A portrait of Carnegie and plaque hangs prominently in the entryway. The library is no frills and simple. The library has not been renovated or expanded to accommodate handicapped needs. As a result the library is packed tight with books, art and town memorabilia. A single staircase provides access to the downstairs. The librarian was friendly and welcoming. She encouraged us to explore the facility. She mentioned that the town is discussing expansion of the library. She also told us about some of the interesting town history. There is plenty of street parking out front of the building. The library is worth a visit if you are interested in seeing an original Carnegie Library.

This place is the best! The librarians are so nice but take library cards without telling you.read more

I am constantly pleased to live in a county with such a good library and to have a branch as fine…read moreas Ellettsville. Staff are always so gracious and pleasant. Loans or transfers come from the main library so efficiently that my requests online take only a couple of days and I do not need to go downtown. Parking is usually (but not always) available without hassle. Inside is clean and fresh an open. We should all have an annual, appreciate your library day. People just do not realize what a huge thing this is if they have always enjoyed these benefits! They have also had the easy check out for years, buzz your card, press your pin, pop down your book and hey presto, you are out the door. I love to speak to the librarians but when they are busy or I am ni a hurry this is terrific.

Crawfordsville has an impressive library with lots of space and interesting exhibits and reading…read moreareas. The modern building was designed by H. L. Mohler and Associates out of Lafayette, Indiana and opened in 2005. The entrance opens up onto a large foyer with a massive check-out counter to one side and a reading room on the other. There is a bronze sculpture of library art and a Lego copy of the local courthouse. The children's books and play area are in the first floor. My granddaughter played in the children's area and didn't want to leave. She made such a fuss, I was glad they didn't kick us out. There is a nice teen area near the Children's area with comfy seating, games and books. Adult books are on the second floor with work areas and seating scattered throughout. Works by local artist hang in the walls. There is a beautiful exhibit of local fossils (which I thought should have been located in the Carnegie Museum across the street.) An exhibit about Sidney Allen Speed, a local resident during the Civil War era was prominent on the second floor. Speed was the designer of the Civil War Memorial in Indianapolis and several other important works. There is a nice parking lot behind the building. There is excellent accessibility designed into the facility. This is a beautiful and functional library.

This library is beautiful and has tons of natural lighting. I enjoy hanging out here in various…read moreplaces. The Reading Room has several world newspapers and magazines to keep with current events. The Youth area is nicely divided into a small children section and a teen section, separated by a dedicated librarian station. The Lobby hosts many local art and handwork exhibits, adding much to the local flavor. Upstairs is the true stacks of the library. Several seating options are available from private cubes, desks, lounge chairs, etc. The Genealogy Room has a plethora of resources for local history. It is one of the best collections in the state. The internet zone has fifteen desktop computers and run on a two hour login period. While reference is mainly upstairs, the main floor hosts the circulation desk. Meeting and community rooms are available in the basement. All areas are handicap accessible via elevator and ramps. Recently the library has improved on new purchases. Popular books are being added and the older ones weeded out. I mention this because in the past the collections had become stale and stagnant. Great improvement has been made. Overall, staff are friendly and helpful. Some are quieter than others. Some are my focused on tasks over people. However, give them a chance. Their job is not easy. I used to volunteer in a library and was shocked at how much goes into keeping the stacks healthy and fresh.

This store seems to be a place that changes for the sake of change. If it were good change, that…read morewould be great. Fortunately, all is not lost. Some of the good is still there. What's not good is downright ridiculous. For some reason, instead of fiction having nice wide open spaces where you can peruse books and find something new, it's now mostly in an aisle just wide enough for 2 people to stand in. Imagine standing in front of a bookshelf that goes from the floor to 6-7 feet in the air. Imagine not being able to back up more than a step or two and trying to see what's on the shelf. It's not an easy feat. Meanwhile, there is a great open sea in the middle of the store that's wide open. Clearance, you'll be happy to know, now takes up the former fiction spot. So the books that are easiest to see are the ones nobody really wants. Makes perfect sense. In other ideas that clearly make perfect sense, with fewer DVDs on the shelves these days, an upper shelf that is very convenient to browse has a few titles with the cover side out. The bottom shelf, where almost no one wants to go, is still full of product. Changing something and improving it is welcome. Changing it and actively making it worse sucks. I used to spend a fair amount of time browsing. Now I hit a couple of areas and I'm done. Oh - whoever decided putting a dvd rack by the exit should not be making important decisions. Ever. Other than that, it's an ok place to shop.

Awesome Bloomington shop. Wide open isles and very good AC. Neat look. Staff is chatty. It is an…read moreall-around delight. Please, don't go out of business - we need Half Price Books! Review: 5+