Library History

Anson Mills was asked to build a public library, but he decided a water/sewer system would benefit the town more during a typhoid fever outbreak.

Superintendent F. B. Long had a 425 volume library in his office that was converted into the Thorntown Public Library in 1912-13.

Thorntown and Sugar Creek Township provided $1000 and a building site for the new public library. Andrew Carnegie's company gave $10,000 and a choice between three building blueprints.

A weeklong celebration was held in January to celebrate the completion of the new Thorntown Public Library building.

The Conservation Club of Thorntown donated two magazine subscriptions to the library - "Wildlife" and "Ranger Rick".

The library annual budget in 1964 was $7,450.

The library has 11,682 books in its collection.

Thorntown Public Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Friends of the Thorntown Public Library was established to support the library with time/volunteerism, publicity, and finance.

There were 40 children and adults at the 3rd Annual Family Christmas at the Library.

The Board of Trustees approved and implemented a "dial access" to the library's catalog. Patrons could call a specific number to see what materials were owned by the library.

Designs were completed for the proposed 14,000 sq. ft. addition to and 4,000 sq. ft. renovation of the current Carnegie library.

A week of celebrations was held to commemorate the completion of the 14,000 sq. ft. addition.

A miniaturized replica of the Anson Mills Memorial fountain was installed on the west side of the building, facing Market Street.

Tober, the Library cat, becomes the boss of Thorntown Public Library.

The Secret Garden was completed on the north side of the building.

The library celebrates 100 years of being open.

Chance, the next cat boss, joins the library family!

There were 420 children and adults at the 24th Annual Family Christmas at the Library.