I brought my niece here the other day. It was my first time really spending time in the children's…read morearea and was so impressed with how many stations they had for the kids. They had a special playroom with kids toys, a nature center, computers with kids games, an amazing selection of books, and more. I really love this library. They also have a free seed library which I think is so neat!

Talk about an incredible library! I have had this place bookmarked for quite some time and finally…read moregot to check it out after a farmers market visit. The children's section definitely did not disappoint. The library is walking distance from the heart of downtown Zionsville. Even the garden of the library provides entertainment with musical instruments for play. Once you enter the front door, you will find a massive children's section that includes a fish aquarium, playroom, toy train model set and wonderful book displays. It also appears that they have an extensive events programming calendar throughout the week. If we lived closer, I would definitely visit here often. There's also a nature center room off the back of the children's section that features snakes, turtles and more fish. Overall, you can easily pass an hour or two with your kids exploring the different areas. I can't speak for the adult sections, but I'm sure it's Equally impressive. Highly recommend recommend this library!

Quiet place to come and read/work/study. They have a wide variety of resources and media available…read more Every staff member was super friendly and willing to assist. They have a bit more selection here than some of the other TCPL locations. The furniture and atmosphere is a bit dated and could use some updating to make it appear more modern. Overall, a library exactly as you would expect.

Great service, especially during these trying times. Curbside pick-up available for collecting…read morereserved books. The books have all been in excellent condition. The library (pre-COVID) is open and spacious, with plenty of space to get lost in a great book or get some work done.

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.

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.

Beautiful new renovation, everyone should have a library card to ensure they bring in proper…read morefunding and add great options for kids and elderly. This place has a modern bright glamor and easy going atmosphere. There's helpful staff, plenty of space, and only awkward parking sharing with Mango Mango and Panda Express.

Spacious, clean and well organized library. Just outside the…read moremain exit they have boxes and boxes of old magazines they're giving away, if anyone is interested. Staff were helpful. Everyone had masks on. Getting a membership card was super quick and easy (I had started my application online which expedites the process). Will be a regular!

Always sign up for all the library cards you can do they get more funding! Education is the path to…read morethe future! This Klondike branch is annoying requiring a separate account from downtown but offers a great location and easy access with lots of parking, fantastic staff offering assorted learning activities for kids, newer building all open and bright design, one of the best places in the area for relaxing and getting into that good book.

This is such a great little library! I come here for the quiet/cozy setting and for some of the…read moredatabases they offer. This is a great space for me to get some writing done and the staff are great.

We have two toddlers and love this library! The play area is fun and interactive. I also love how…read morethe books are organized for the little ones. We've been to story time a few times and enjoyed it. It is interactive and they also go over a letter and number each time. I enjoy the smaller and quieter environment compared to our regular library.

The Lebanon Public Library is a fabulous facility housing books and so much more. The main branch…read moreis located in downtown Lebanon caddy corner from the Courthouse. The current facility was built in the 1990's as an addition to the previous Carnegie facility. The new facility is spacious with two floors of books and a third floor of study and meeting rooms. I took my granddaughter to check out the library during her spring break. The colorful children's area is located in the basement area. There is a massive collection of books and, today, there were space-themed books on display. There is a large play area for toddlers with kitchen and climbing structures. A number of board games and puzzles are available for kids to play in an open area. We read several books in a cozy area. There is a classroom available near the area. Librarians were friendly and helpful in the children's area. On the main floor, are adult books, a teen activity center and a heritage room. The teen center attracts after school teen that can work on homework, play games or work on art projects. The heritage center houses reference materials including local school year books, local history, genealogy materials, local newspapers and much more. One of the most interesting features of the Library is the collection of vintage art by local artist. Beautiful paintings and more are located throughout the library. Quiet work areas are scattered throughout the library for study or work. Free WIFI is available. They are an Evergreen member. The facility is wheel chair and stroller friendly. Free street parking is available.

The Thorntown Public Library is a remarkable historic resource for this small town. The original…read morebrick library was a Carnegie funded project that opened its doors in 1914. The floor plan is based on one of the Carnegie plans that were prevalent for the later libraries. Much of the original furniture, woodwork and shelving remains in place and is in pristine condition. In 2004, the library expanded, adding a mirror floor plan of the original Carnegie structure connected by an entry hall. Painstaking efforts were made to create a cohesive addition that preserved the character of the original building. Karen, the librarian, spent time with us to describe the building, contents and services provided. The addition improved accessibility of the library, added an elevator, kitchen, classroom and much needed space for the e expanded offering of books, dvds, videos, puzzles, games and more. The library serves three townships. The children's books and services are located on the first floor. A kid friendly restroom is decorated by kids. There are tables for building puzzles and chairs for reading. Upstairs is a genealogy/history center located in the original Carnegie building. A young stuffed eagle collected locally and hawk are housed in the center. A teen reading room located behind the center. Karen told us that local teens completed the artwork on the ceilings. Community engagement is evident throughout the facility. An adult library is located on the south end of the library. There is comfy seating to read. A resident cat, Chance, lives in the library and welcomes patrons. There's plenty of free parking outside the building. This is a super facility with a ton of history and worth a visit or two. They are part of the Evergreen program!

From the owner: Thorntown Public Library offers service to residents in Boone County from Sugar Creek, Jefferson,…read moreand Washington Townships. Items available for checkout include books, videos, audio books, and board games for all ages. We also offer downloadable audio books and eBooks through Overdrive. The library offers a variety of programs for all ages. Check the web site, give us a call, or stop by to learn all that we have to offer!

Stunning- also, not surprised…read more I had heard for awhile that we would enjoy this library so on a recent day date with my four year old, we ventured north to check it out. We spent a majority of the time in the children's section which boasted several interactive play areas, a private room for events, a STEAM focussed room for workshops and hands-on learning and well-organized book stacks. I appreciated how many book covers they had easily on display and their shelving system. They also have a pet gecko in the kids area. We could have easily spent an hour plus here. Next time, I'll set up for remote work and check out the coffee shop and other seating areas in the library. They have free onsite garage parking, in true Carmel fashion

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.

Such a great experience! Extremely informative! The museum has many cool artifacts from Lew…read moreWallace's life as well as props from Ben-Hur film adaptations. The study itself is stunning. Our tour guide Tom was extremely knowledgeable and explained the history of Wallace's life and all the objects in the study in a very engaging way! This is a can't miss spot in Crawfordsville!

If you watch the 1959 movie "Ben-Hur", you will see a story about a man who lived a life that was…read morefitting to be on the big screen of Hollywood. However, if Hollywood wanted to make a movie about a real life man who accomplished a variety of great things, a movie should be made about the author of the novel, General Lew Wallace of Indiana. Born in Brookville in 1827, the man was a war hero in the Civil War, an author of seven novels, an inventor, sculptor/painter, foreign minister to the Ottoman Empire, and governor of the New Mexico Territory. And for a day job, he was a lawyer in Crawfordsville, Indiana where he settled and raised his family. Before living such an active life in service to his country, he moved to Crawfordsville and attended an event at the home of his former commander in the Mexican War, Henry S Lane. Lane's wife was one of the daughters of prominent Crawfordsville business man Isaac Elston. Another of Elston's daughters, Susan, was in attendance. Wallace met Susan which led to their eventual marriage and raising of a son, Henry Lane Wallace. Being a man of means, Wallace acquired property near the Elston family land holdings which is the site of the study and museum. He had the study built on his property that featured a 25 x 25 room with a skylight and walls filled with rows of books. In the study and beneath a large tree just west of the building, Wallace did his writing, sculpting, inventing, and painting. Truly, he was a modern day Renaissance man. If you visit the Wallace property, you can walk the grounds outside the study for free. There is parking by the carriage house or street parking outside the property on the east and west sides. However, if you want to go inside the study and learn more about the life of the man, you can take a tour for only $5. The tour begins in the carriage house with a 15-minute video about Wallace and his most famous creation, "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ". The video room is filled with movie memorabilia. From there, you see some of the property including the site of the former moat, some flower gardens, and a Wallace Statue placed where the tree he used to write under had been. And finally, you get a tour of the study and get to see many of the paintings, inventions, and books that where mentioned in the video. The place has been painstakingly preserved while restoring it and updating things like plumbing and wiring for safety reasons. The room is filled with art and details that were innovative for their time. You can spend a lot of time looking at this extensive collection. Note: there is also a side room that was set up to show some of Wallace's Civil War activities and collections. Tours are available during normal business hours and can be started whenever you arrive unless another tour has already begun. If you are a fan of history and appreciate creativity, then this is a tour you will definitely enjoy. Review #1387