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.

I have had multiple times to be at this library to kill a little time while visiting my folks in…read moreIndiana. I find this library quite nice. Esthetically, the floor is spacious and open and has comfortable lounge chairs to sit in that are set up in a round of four, in addition to table seating. There are wall/floor plugs for charging at the table areas with the comfortable lounge chairs as well. There are bathrooms that are right there off the library floor, so there is easy convenient access when you have to go. This library is not modern or cutting edge and I am not even certain of the quality of their book inventory, but the staff is nice and the place is welcoming. With art displayed on the second floor for viewing and ample parking, if studying, reading or exploring all the benefits a library has to offer a community, the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library is nice and a solid location for my dad and I to kill some time....from time to time.

I had the opportunity to visit the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library today as part of a…read moretraining for work. Every time I make my way to Plainfield, a Westside town just inside Hendricks County, I become kind of awed at just how much it has grown since my childhood when I spent countless weekends there with family. This library has existed in one way or another since 1901. It began with a reading room and 414 books and coal oil lamps lighting the reading room at night. By 1904, the collection had grown to 1,278 books and the library opened in a new $1,500 structure. Plainfield's first public library facility opened June 4, 1901, in rented rooms at 120 East Main Street in Plainfield. A group of private citizens, incorporated as the Plainfield Library Association, gathered 414 gift books for public use and started the Plainfield Public Library. Coal oil lamps lit the Reading Room at night. By January 27, 1904, the book collection numbered 1,278 and the library reopened in a new frame building at 130 North Vine Street. The $1,500 structure was financed by personal subscriptions from Association members, gifts of local business people and the profits from minstrel shows. A year later, Plainfield incorporated as a town and the library became part of the town. In 1913, Andrew Carnegie funding allowed the building of a new and much larger library. In 1916, the library started the very first bookmobile in Indiana. After 55 years in the Carnegie Library, the library moved to its current location (in 1968) at the corner of Simmons Street and Stafford Road. In 1987, an expansion was completed. The library is currently undergoing some major HVAC upgrades. The library is on two levels. The upstairs holds meeting rooms, room for fine arts, and offices. I was largely on the second level and, yes, there's an elevator for those who need it and a cool spiral staircase for those who don't. The library houses genealogy databases, an Indiana room, a Plainfield photograph database, a COVID oral history, meeting rooms, study rooms, a cool children's area on the first floor, a book bike, little free libraries, a variety of collections, and the usual technology we expect. The library also has its own podcast. The library has the following apps - Libby, Overdrive, Kanopy, Beanstack, Hoopla, Freading, and others. They also offer home delivery (in Plainfield). I really loved this space. My meeting space was fairly large (though could have used a little more table space) and I loved that a microphone was available. We also had room to offer ASL in our training. There are soft drink and candy vending machines on the first floor, though I did note that the candy machine was almost empty and not working. As a public library, accessibility is predictably strong here with appropriate parking spaces, curb cuts, and other resources. I will note that I don't see accessibility mentioned on the website (which would be helpful). Everyone I talked to was super friendly and I loved the art gallery space. This is a really lovely library and I kind of hope I have to return for another meeting in the future.

I like this extension library because it is conveniently located, has courteous staff, and saves me…read morethe trouble of driving all the way to Martinsville to check out a book or movie. The Library is also part of the Evergreen Indiana sharing program, so even if they don't have the item you are looking for on their shelves, they have a reasonable chance of finding another library that may share it and conveniently hold it for you. Review #1181

Love this location and it's easy access to 37/69. The librarians are super nice and knowledgeable!…read more So many activities and children's books- it's our go to library in the county. Don't forget you can request books to be available at this (smaller) branch!

Wonderful library! My baby and I went to the free baby story time in the community room today, and…read moreit was so fun! Lots of parents and their little ones singing and playing. Such a great community resource!

We love the White River library! Great selection of books and other materials along with a large…read moresection for kids. There's a large train table, play kitchen, fire truck, and a rotating selection of toys along with plenty of comfortable seating and a kids bathroom. The library also has several work/study areas and seating areas for bird watching, reading, or just hanging out. My only complaint about this location is that it's a little tough to access at certain times of day due to traffic patterns in the area, but that's not something the library can resolve!

We love coming to this library. The kids area always has fun crafts and activities for the kids to…read moredo. The summer reading challenge has been a hit! My girls love coming in to collect their prizes for reading. The staff here is always so friendly and welcoming. It makes my children excited to come in and read, play and check out new books.

I am a public library STAN. USE YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC LIBRARY!!! i am an avid reader so of course when…read morei moved i had to check out the library and register for a card. I've forgotten the woman's name who assisted me but she was so sweet & friendly! i'd go back just to talk to her. Registering is quick and easy: provide a bill with proof of address & identification. I had just moved so i didn't have a bill in my name yet. we worked together to find a suitable document. She told me about the loan and return policies which was similar to other locations. Then we discussed upcoming events happening at my local library. The library is not just wonderful crisp paged books. They have dvd's you can rent, private rooms you can reserve, and story time for different aged kids, & throughout the month they have various events. There are even workout classes hosted at this location Covid-19* the library is currently closed for in person service but you can still check out books online!

The Bartholomew County Library is another amazing functional architectural structure in Columbus,…read moreIndiana. The building was designed by I. M. Pei in 1969 with an addition by James Paris in 1987. What I noticed first was an incredible sculpture that stands in the Library plaza. The sculpture, known as Large Arch, was created by Henry Moore in 1971. Inside the library are high ceilings with a modern and spacious feel. There are large sections of adult books on the first and second floor. On the first floor are public computers, newspapers and other resources. There is a large teen area with skylights and comfy seating. In the basement are conference and a class room and an incredible children's library, complete with play areas and a puppet show stage. There is an outdoor patio off of the children's section. On the second floor is a indoor garden atrium that brings in natural light. The staff is helpful. There is a space where they sell excess and used books. There were several oil paintings by notable Hoosier artists. There is also a small veteran tribute near the front entrance. There is free parking on the west and back sides of the facility. I would put this library at the top of the Indiana libraries that I have visited.

Very nice, well kept, clean, and organized library. Lots of books and free use computers. Friendly…read moreand helpful staff can help you find what you seek. Cool large piece of artwork on the grounds. Nice place to find a real book versus an online book, for those who prefer the old fashion way of reading, ha. Plenty of relaxing and comfy private seating along with nice tables for multi book researching. Located downtown and walking distance to many other businesses.

Wow! I was on the hunt for a new-to-us library on Yelp and stumbled upon this stunning newer…read morelibrary in the West Perry (south Indy) area. The sleek Scandinavian design of the exterior had me at "hello". Spoiler alert: the inside is just as beautiful. The space features large wrap around windows, a fireplaces, sleek lines and a dedicated children's and teens section that are clearly spaced off from the adult section of the library. I also appreciated their clean bathrooms and outdoor covered patio overlooking a treeline. The children's section was laid out really well with books displayed in a way that's easier for short kiddos to read the titles and explore what's available. We ended up leaving with a variety of recipe, travel and kid books. I can't believe there weren't more people here. It was a 20 min. drive from downtown but worth every bit of the drive. Can't wait to return!

One of my favorite things about living in Marion County is having access to ALL of Indianapolis'…read morelibraries, and there are many! This location is our current favorite, almost solely for their kids section. You'll find a stack of grocery baskets when you first enter, and we love that. We like to get enough kids books to have at least 2 bedtime stories a night, plus extra for our calming nook. Each kid can grab a basket and so do I. I believe they have plastic bags available to take your collection of books home, but I use reusable totes for the 20-30 books that we end up with. They do a great job of putting a nice selection right up front of books that compliment the season and current events, and that includes children's books. That's the first place I look before we head to the children's section. Not only is the children's section large, it is sectioned off quite nicely, so I don't feel the anxiety of trying to keep their voices low. I feel completely secure in allowing the 3 of us to wander around, independently, collecting books. My girls enjoy the games available to them on the computers and also the interactive area that holds Legos and fun seating. Books are also separated by topics and themes for the younger/learning to read crowd and placed into bins with photos as labels. I absolutely love this and it's helped my 5 and 6 year olds pick out some really great, age appropriate books. There is also a really pretty outdoor patio that you enter thru the children's section, where you could sit and read or study. I would love to check it out when the weather is nicer. This location also has a step stool up at check out, so younger kids can check out their own books. The girls have their own cards and check out the books they've chosen themselves, and they really enjoy the process of checking out and loading up their books on their own. This location is definitely a gem for local youth and their parents.

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.

I want to give a sincere thank you to Ryan Donnelly for the outstanding assistance he provided. He…read moretook the time to patiently answer my questions, explain information I didn't fully understand, and made sure I left with a much better understanding of everything. His professionalism, knowledge, and willingness to go the extra mile were truly appreciated. Thank you again, Ryan--I genuinely appreciate the time and effort you spent helping me!

Love love love this library! We are frequent patrons of this library. Our family has a great time…read morehere. Our son has read over 1000 books over 4 years n is thirsty for more great reading experiences. We love abundant resources for learning and information. We also love their movies DVD rentals options. Love it!

The Martinsville Branch of the Morgan County Public Library began its story as a Carnegie funded…read morelibrary. I was glad to see the familiar historic library facade with lovely green dome and large columns when I drove up. The original building was completed in 1908 and is constructed of Indiana Bedford limestone. The library has expanded over the years to improve accessibility, increase the collections, modernize and offer specialized spaces. The first addition was added in the 1990's increasing the size of the facility four-fold. A recent addition was completed 2020 included a modern teen room and outdoor patio area. The Children's area is bright with high ceilings and a small play area. The teen area is very modern with work space and an area to watch tv with comfy seating. There is a rather large area with dvds. A lovely painting by T. C. Steele hangs on the wall. The old Carnegie building now houses the Genealogy center. The librarian in the center was busy, but graciously provided me with a map of downtown Martinsville so I could continue my research. A stained glass dome and beautiful oak columns are the only original interior features left from the 1908 build in the Carnegie section. Overall, it's a functional, modern library with some history. They are part of the Evergreen program and offer delivery to home bound patrons. The building is fully wheelchair accessible, has nice restrooms, and plenty of close free parking.

This was my first visit to the Morgan County Public Library. Usually I go to the Evergreen web…read moresite and place books on hold for delivery to the Brooklyn branch for pickup. But today I just happened to be downtown getting a new watch band installed on my new watch I bought last week at De Lyn's 20th anniversary and had some time to kill so I stopped in to check them out. I could be wrong, but judging by the outside appearance of the building, it appears to me they have had at least two major additions to the original building on the corner with the old limestone. The most recent one is huge and dedicated to children's books and has a room specifically for teens. The middle section of the building up the ramp or steps is for the adult books, and the original limestone building on the corner is dedicated to Genealogy and Morgan County's Hall of Fame. I really like the way all the books are labeled on the shelves. There is an easy to read label at the bottom of each book's spine with the first three letters of the author. I can find the authors I'm looking for really fast this way. But please take advantage of the Information desk. If you don't see the book you are looking for, it is possible it is checked out and the staff can look it up in their computer and place a hold on it so that you are notified when it comes back to the library. This is a really nice library. While not as big as Mooresville's with the exception of the children's area, it is fairly comparable. The teen room is really unique. Morgan County's Hall of Fame is very interesting. There is a small legend on the left hand side that identifies each photo. I did not know Gary Bettenhausen would be in the Hall of Fame. Although born in Illinois, he lived in Monrovia where his children attended high school. Having served in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Frankin D. Roosevelt, CV-42, I was pleasantly surprised to find a new book (2022 edition) on the history of the world's greatest aircraft carriers in the last 100 years. I found a nice quiet spot with a comfortable chair and read the book for about ten minutes and then checked it out. Your initial check out period is three weeks and you are allowed to renew twice. They have some really nice chairs scattered around the library. They are comfortable, have lap tables to hold your book and have both kinds of charging ports for your devices. And of course there are free computers for use. There is dedicated free parking directly across the street with plenty of spaces available.