Came here with my daughter. It's a beautiful building! The people here are very rude. Not one 'Hello' or smile. Every room we walked into, conversations stopped and we were watched until we were basically forced to leave. They also block negative comments on their Google review page. If you hate your job, quit. read more

See all

Wow! The Willard Library is Indiana's OLDEST library, and it's everything it lives up to be for an old, creaky library. It's quiet and filled with ghost stories of the old Grey Lady. There are even ghost cams in the library that can be viewed online 24/7. We only knew about these stories after we visited, but it's a big part of the Willard Library story. It's a gorgeous 19th-century building that is on the national registry of historic places. The woodwork and staircase are detailed, and if you are into history and architecture, you'll enjoy a visit here. The 2nd level is devoted entirely to genealogy. Willard was a well-known abolitionist and his collection of anti-slavery books are featured in a bookcase on the stairwell. read more

See all

It's a public library--the first in Indiana. It's also an architectural gem and worth a 30-minute stop for that reason. Enjoy the outside. Marvel at the 19th century custom woodwork of the inside stairwell. Enjoy the tall windows of the main floor, the brass chandeliers, the wood window screens, and the artwork. Read about the grey lady--the ghost in the library--and her sightings. Renew in the serenity of a time that didn't know the busy-ness of an online society. (But the internet and full service library resources are available if needed.). read more

Willard Library - Literature, Science, Arts wall panels. - Libraries Near Me - Evansville, Indiana

So after living in eville my whole life and with Halloween right around the corner, we ventured out on a dark and stormy night to see if we could get a glimpse of The Gray Lady ghost at Willard library. This is a beautiful library with a lot of history. Although we did not see, hear or smell her, we really enjoyed the stories and the tour. It a gorgeous building with lots of intricate woodworking. Beautiful staircases and just has that overall historic charm. Go check it out. A lot of history about the Willard family and other evansville families. I'm sorry it took me so long read more

See all

We signed up through a link provided by USI for parent weekend. We toured the whole building and were told of several sightings of the gray lady that haunts the library. We personally did not see anything but it was a fun event during Halloween month to get into the spirit. Ghost hunters were there before and they have cameras set up live and with recorded sightings. You had to preregister but it was free. read more

See all

This place is so pretty. I love all the information about the ghost there are. The librarians have the best ghost stories. They have a huge variety of books to choose from. A librarian gave me a pamphlet of the ghost there. I also got a free pen that said Willard library on it. read more

Willard Library - This is the coolest library ever - Libraries Near Me - Evansville, Indiana

I visited the Willard Library during my recent visit to Evansville. This place is definitely a national architectural treasure. I think the images attached to this listing say it all, but its something you need to see for yourself in order to fully appreciate. Inside you have yourself a regular library with computers and plenty of books. There also is an incredible portrait of George Washington that hangs along the grand staircase. It belongs in a museum which I suppose is what the Willard Library actually is in many respects. If I lived in Evansville, this would be my library! read more

See all

This is my first library growing up in Evansville. I have so many fond memories of it growing up. It was great to be back to visit. I enjoyed doing some genealogy and reading through old German-language newspapers. The staff is top-notch! The original architecture is beautiful and mix of modern/historic resources in its collection is good too. Willard Library's founding principle, "a public library for the use of people of all classes, races, and sexes, free of charge forever" is still really inspiring. read more

See all

I like to visit public libraries when I am out of town and this one did not disappoint. It is the oldest public library in IN and the architecture of the building itself was worth the trip. It is not a really big library but they have a focus on genealogy and where actually having classes the week we were there with a lot of folks attending. There is ample parking and a stroll through the entire building can be done leisurely in 30 minutes. There is a history of a ghost who has been in the building for years and I headed to a location in the library where she sometimes appears. My dad had recently died and I was wanting a sign of his presence. I did see a reflection in the table top that I can't account for where it came from. But it was just cool to be in the room and at peace. Staff were friendly and willing to answer our questions regarding the ghost and the building. The wooden staircases were ornate and well kept as was the rest of the building. Worth a trip if you have the time. read more

Go for the architecture, stay for the serenity and quiet of this truly historic library. It's the kind of place that invites all who enter to wander the stacks, sit a spell, and soak in the history of this treasure. I can't wait to return to this charming town and its library. read more

I spent seven years living in Evansville and this was during my elementary/middle school days. We all used to tell each other stories about the "Grey Lady" and our "encounters" with her (mostly made up, I'm sure). I also used to walk here from a friends house after school and use the internet. So, when I came through town last November, I made a stop here with my sister. It was exactly as I'd remembered it and for good reason. If anything changes, I'm pretty sure they have to close it down. At least, if it ceases to be a library, they are required to shut it down. We went down to the basement where we used to hang out as kids while our mom was upstairs checking out books of her own. There was a librarian there named Rhonda Mort and she was the sweetest lady we encounted the entire trip. We'd never met each other before, but she was very friendly and asked us where we were from, what we were doing, had we seen this, had we gone there, etc. If you take a trip here, go to the basement and see if she's in. She'll give you a good story of the library's history (and hauntings). It was well worth a trip down memory lane to check this place out and we did so again when we went back to Evansville in September of this year. If you get a chance, go. read more