About

Our History

The Parke County Public Library, originally the Rockville Public Library, was an idea born the “The Current Literature Club” at a meeting in January of 1913. After research, it was decided the best way to move forward was the Carnegie Plan; with a clear title to the building site and a deed recorded, Carnegie Building Association would provide funds to build a library (Parke County Times, 1914). After raising funds to secure the levy and the library board appointed, the site where the library sits today was purchased for $2500 in March of 1914, the old site of Boardman’s Livery Barn (Parke County Historical Society, 1989). The donation from the Carnegie Corporation was initially $10,000 but raised to $12,500. The groundbreaking was June 7th, 1915, and the Library was completed by the end of the year and dedicated January 14th, 1916 (Rockville Tribune, 1931).

In 1991, in celebration of the library’s 75th anniversary, a 2,700 square feet addition was added to the back of the original Carnegie Library building. Ramps for added accessibility and an elevator lift was also added (Parke County Sentinel, 1991). This addition nearly doubled the size of the library.

In December of 2012, the library did return to county-wide service, following years of debate on the topic (Bemis, 2012). During the early 1940’s, the WPA provided books and workers to man stations in each township of Parke County. Petitions were filed with a levy of $.04 per every $100 of taxable property to expand service to county-wide. (Rockville Republican, 1941). In 1952, legislative action forced libraries to reorganize or become extinct. Rockville Public Library was to operate as a town library for 1 year and then revisit. County-wide service did not resume until 2012. All residents within Parke County can have access to a free library.

Due to structural issues and crumbling limestone, the library’s front steps had to be repaired. These repairs were completed in 2014. Original columns for the stairs were removed and slight changes were made to the appearance of the front entry.

In 2018, to better represent the community in which the library served, the Rockville Public Library changed its name to the Parke County Public Library. In addition, the library joined Evergreen Indiana Library Consortium around this same time. Benefits offered by being a part of Evergreen Indiana Library Consortium; library cardholders have access to 120+ libraries throughout the state in person and/or access to materials, materials from other libraries will be delivered to PCPL and available for pickup, materials can be returned to any Evergreen Library, and much more! We wanted our patrons to have better access and more convenience!

$

1913

The Parke County Public Library (originally the Rockville Public Library) was an idea born at “The Current Literature Club” meeting in January of 1913.

$

1914

The Carnegie Building Association would provide funds to build a library and in March of 1914, the old site of Boardman’s Livery Barn was purchased for $2500.

$

1915

Groundbreaking of the site occurred on June 7th, 1915.

$

1916

Construction of the library was completed by the end of the year and dedicated January 14th, 1916.

$

1991

The library turns 75 and a 2,700 square feet addition was added to the back of the original Carnegie Library building.

$

2012

In December of 2012, the library returned to county-wide service and all residents within Parke County would now have access to a free library.

$

2014

Repairs of structural issues and crumbling limestone to the library’s front steps were completed in 2014, which slightly changed the appearance of the front entry.

$

2018

To better represent the community in which the library serves, the Rockville Public Library changed its name to the Parke County Public Library. In addition, the library joined Evergreen Indiana Library Consortium around this same time to provide access to even more resources for the library.

This picture is during construction. The exact date is unknown, but late 1915. Photo provided by Mike Moulton.

This is the completed library. From a newspaper clipping.

This is a shot from during the construction of the library addition in 1991. Photo by Lynn Lee.

Interior of the library as it looked in 1916.

Staff working inside the library in 1930.

Commemorative plaque for Mr. Andrew Carnegie who helped fund the initial building construction.

Plaque showing all of the library directors over the years.

The exterior of the library in 2021.

Our Team

Lindsey Bishop

Andrew Akers

Library Director

 

Chad Smith

Chad Smith

Youth Services Head

Hobbies:
family time, soccer, video games, movie buff, and tech geek

Favorite Book Quote:
“Don’t worry about getting perfect, just keep getting better.”
– Frank Peretti, Illusion: A Novel

Lynn Lee

Lynn Lee

Technical Services & Genealogy Head

Hobbies:
gardening, reading (English History is a fav!), movie buff

Favorite Book Quote:
“My dear, I don’t give a damn.”
– Margaret Mitchell, Gone With the Wind

Ava Mills

Ava Mills

Library Associate

Hobbies:
reading, walking, jigsaw puzzles, church activities, Christmas movies, cooking, board/card games

Favorite Book Quote:
“Books are the mile markers of my life. Some people have family photos or home movies to record their past. I’ve got books. Characters. For as long as I can remember, books have been my safe place.”
– Kristin Hannah, The Great Alone

Hannah Lee

Hannah Lee

Library Associate

Hobbies:
stamp collecting, astronomy, reading military history, Ceratops dinosaurs, and gardening

Favorite Book Quote:
“Failure is not an option.”
– Gene Krantz, Failure is Not an Option

Sharon Harmon

Treasurer

Hobbies:
knitting and travel

Board of Trustees

The Library Board of Trustees is the guiding body for the library. Although not elected by the people, they are appointed by other offices and boards to equally represent the community served. Of the seven positions, two are appointed by the Parke County Commissioners, two by the Parke County Council, two by the North Central Parke School Board, and one is duly appointed by Southwest Parke School Board and the Clay School Board.

Each term is four (4) years and one board member may serve four (4) consecutive terms, though appointing bodies may replace ineffective board members. In summary of Indiana Code 36-12-2-7 through Indiana Code 36-12-2-17, the library board is to set policy, approve the library budget, oversee library planning, and hire as well as evaluate the Library Director.

 

Member Appointing Body Term Ends
Open SWP/Clay School Board
Samantha Woodard Parke County Commissioners 12.31.2024
Lisa Wrightsman (Secretary) Parke County Commissioners 11.30.2025
Sheila Rohr Parke County Council 12.31.2026
Sherri Paxton Parke County Council 05.31.2025
Open North Central Parke School Board
Roberta Hobbs (President) North Central Parke School Board 12.31.2023

Members of the public can join a public board meeting every third Thursday each month at 4pm in the Library Board Room on the lower level.

Our Policies

View and download a copy of any of our policies below.