This library has a small town feel with a big sense of community…read more As with most public libraries in Indiana, the Shelby County Public Library's roots were enabled by a $20,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie in 1901. The original Neo-Classical building opened June 1903 in Shelbyville and bears Carnegie's name. The limestone facility has undergone several renovations and expansions resulting in today's library complex, which includes the main building and annex. The main building houses adult books, dvd's, and other reading materials. There are a few tables and comfy chairs to study or read. The older Carnegie portion houses large print books and retains some of the original woodwork and leaded-glass doors. The lower level of the library houses the Children's library collection with play, learning areas and publicly available computers. The area has a recently added sensory wall. During my visit, the area was packed with boisterous children and parents for a summer event. There was a distinct energy in the space. To the east of the main building, the annex houses genealogy and history resources. The staff is busy helping patrons throughout the complex. The sprawling, busy library has a campus feel. Patrons come to socialize as well as find reading material. There is a lovely courtyard behind the main building with dedicated parking. Additional free street parking is available in front of the buildings.

This library is easy to find and located close to a CVS, not far from Walmart or fast food…read moreestablishments. The computer room is across the street which is highly inconvenient. There are several tables but, they lack a lot of outlets for those with laptops. They are unaware of hope to operate the scanning machine. They are nice to talk with and very willing to assist you but, they lack a lot of knowledge when it comes to higher levels of technological needs.

Being a librarian myself, I knew that I had to get a library card as soon as I moved to Franklin…read more The Franklin branch of the Johnson County Public Library is in a nice location that straddles the college and town. The staff were very welcoming and the location has a nice collection. Best of all, JCPL has plenty of regular events that I'm looking forward to attending in the future.

Part of the four location Johnson County Public Library network, the Franklin Library is able to…read moreprovide reading and listening materials to local customers. Parking is free along the frontage driveway that parallels State Street. Inside, there is a lobby with restrooms and meeting rooms, and beyond the lobby, is the main library room. Books are mainly to the right of the central checkout counter. Audio (books and cd's) and video are to the left. There are also checkout stations as well as computers available. The library has a reciprocal borrowing agreement with the Greenwood Public Library which is part of the Evergreen integrated library system. This agreement allows sharing of materials beyond the county line. For residents of Johnson County, there is no additional fee for getting an ID card, though out of county residents can either pay an annual fee to get access to the materials or can get a card from their own library if it is also a part of the Evergreen system too. Nice place....clean and orderly...lots of materials on hand. Review #2196

This amazing building in downtown Columbus was designed by architect Don Hisaka in 1990 (with an…read moreaddition by RQAW on 2008). At first glance, I thought the modern building was a museum with a beautiful entrance and domed courtyard. But it is the county jail. Because this is a detention center, only visitors that are visiting inmates are allowed inside. Architect buffs must enjoy from the exterior only. If I go to jail, this is where I want to be. My rating is based on ascetics.

The Grover Museum does a remarkable job of preserving artifacts and stories from Shelby County. My…read morefavorite exhibit includes the mock stores that showcase 100+ year old goods and furniture from the local barbershop, drugstore, butcher shop, telephone operators and more. Visitors can walk through quickly with kids and talk about technology and people of the past. I stopped by the museum to get information about the local courthouse. I was greeted by Sarah Richardt, the new curator of the museum. Sarah told me what I could find in the museum and offered to arrange for me to meet with a local judge to discuss the courthouse. Wow! (The people in Shelby county are the nicest.) A timeline exhibit, archives the names and dates for the building and history of Shelbyville and the county. I was able to find information I needed here. The railroad room has a working toy train and stories about the local railroad. Downstairs, historical information about local industry and technology are described. There is a small gift shop at the front of the museum. The building is old with stairs, but there is a rear entrance near an elevator for wheelchairs and strollers. The museum hosts a summer camp and other activities throughout the year. There are play/learning areas set up throughout the facility Admission is free to the museum and donations accepted. There is free street parking outside. Public restrooms are available. Grover Museum is one of the best small town museums that I have visited.

A GREAT small-town museum! As others mentioned, the "Streets of Old Shelby" exhibit is an…read moreinteresting condensed exhibit of a small town from the late 1800s/early 1900s. They have recently remodeled the lower level sections to focus on a photography studio from many years ago and see the town through their lens (literally). They also created a new interactive exhibit that includes both the natural history of the area and the manufacturing history. Both areas of focus pull in personal stories and connections as you learn and discover. The sister city exhibit that educates about their sister city of Shizuoka, Japan is equally insightful with statistics and an interactive chance to make your own block print. The upstairs features interactive components while educating on the history of Shelbyville's downtown square and how it has changed through time. The museum is FREE and supported by donations so please contribute if you enjoyed your time! An interesting stop off the main road of sites. A 2-3 hour visit would allow you to see most exhibits but one could spend longer.

The Decatur County Courthouse is one of the most famous courthouses in the U.S. For 150 years, a…read moretree has grown out of the structure's clock tower, grabbing the attention of visitors. The Courthouse is the second dedicated courthouse of Decatur County. Plans for the building were drafted in 1854 by a committee composed of B. Y. Wilson, I. G. Monfort and B. H. Harney. Construction was overseen by Indianapolis architect, Edwin May, who designed the Indiana State House. The final cost of the Romanesque brink structure and grounds was $120,000. The courthouse opened in 1861. Rennovations to update and repair the building have been made periodically throughout the years beginning in 1889 and an expansion in 1997. The staff is friendly and the officer relayed anecdotal stories about the tree(s). The original tree appeared in the 1870s. Additional sprouts appeared over the years, but have been culled to protect the structure. The tree that exists today is a spout of the original tree. The tree has been identified as a large tooth aspen. Inside the courthouse has been preserved throughout history. Iron stairs ascend to the second floor courts. Original oak trim and some furniture adorn the halls. Historical transfer books neatly stacked in cubbies. Court was in session, so I was unable to visit the courtrooms. Framed historical newspaper articles tell stories from the past. The Courthouse is uniquely poised for visitors. On the immaculate grounds surrounding the Courthouse are a War Memorial and several historic markers.

I was drawn here by the "See the tree" signs as I exited the interstate to fill up with gas. I…read moreended up staying for a few hours to use one of the power outlets that are along the curb of the courthouse to charge up my house battery in the Sprinter van. While here, I enjoyed the markers in the courthouse and of course, the tree. The marker reads, "Site of the original court house built in 1827 and occupied until 1854. Present building completed in 1860. Large tooth aspen tree appeared in 1870 on the roof of the 115 foot clock tower. In July, 1863, it became a temporary armory while troops bivouacked on the lawn. The treasurer's office held provisions to feed 10 regiments. The 7th Regimental Band had played weekly on the square before being militarized. Many political figures have given speeches from the steps. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973." Yes, there is a tree growing on the roof. It was noticed in 1870 and it's a tourist draw. Yes, a real tree. [Review 20519 overall - 65 in Indiana - round number 1500 of 2023.]

yo Ryan is the goat. He was super helpful in replacing my missing driver's license. Stopped here…read morefrom out of town and they were way more helpful than my local branch.

This BMV is clean, large, plenty of seating, and has lots of knowledgeable employees that are…read morefriendly and helpful. It's rare to have to wait more than 10 minutes at this location. Go during the off peak times and you might be the only customer in the place, ha.