Rushville Public Library

"A little library growing each year is an honorable part of a man's history."
— Henry Ward Beecher


Vision

The Rushville Public Library will be a modern 21st century library that satisfies community library needs through an exceptional collection and an excellent staff. Our responsiveness to changing needs will provide an intergenerational public space that becomes an inviting community hub for all our residents.

This vision will be apparent as patrons use the services of the Rushville Public Library. The library will:

· Be a focal point and source of pride for our community.

· Provide a stimulating and inspiring atmosphere.

· Be innovative and continually evolving and adapting to meet community needs, while preserving our rich heritage.

· Be a safe and secure after-school oasis for the community’s students with materials, spaces, and activities to engage their interest.

· Be a comfortable and inviting community gathering place that builds a sense of community by welcoming everyone, encouraging interaction, and creating opportunities to meet and talk about ideas and issues.

· Through collections, programs, activities, and community involvement become the cultural, intellectual, and informational heart of the community.

· Satisfy residents’ library needs with a staff that provides personal attention.

· Offer a modern, complete, outstanding collection where people find what they want, when they want it.

Mission

It is the mission of the Rushville Public Library to:

Respond to the information needs of all citizens of our community;

Enhance and encourage imagination, exploration, recreation, and intellectual growth;

Anticipate and address the cultural, educational, business, and technology interests of the public; and

Develop and provide a welcoming environment that promotes literacy, learning, and an improved quality of life.

History

Library services in Rush County began with the private collection of Dr. William B. Laughlin in 1822. He loaned his books to city and county residents at a small fee per book. In 1910, a library was created thanks to the Rush County chapter of the D.A.R. The library was located in the County Courthouse. Then, in the late 1920's, a combination of public and private monies funded the building of the present Rushville Public Library. The firm of McGuire and Shook designed our Gothic-style library (no, this building has never been a church) on the site where the depot of the I & C Traction Line stood. In August of 1930, builders laid the cornerstone and on January 16, 1931, the beautiful Bedford limestone library opened! In 1988-89, our library underwent a complete renovation. New lights, air conditioning, flooring, and walls were installed and improved. Lower level rooms for meetings, technical services, and genealogy were created. Workmen excavated areas under the Library and made areas for the storage of periodicals and craft and cleaning supplies.

The Rushville Public Library is funded through city property tax dollars, as well as fines, fees, and private donations. Indiana state law dictates that our library must charge a fee to those who do not reside or own property within the city limits. There fore, the Library charges a fee to non-residents which is calculated using a formula provided by the State Library. These county fees are $75 per year per family or couple; $55 per year per individual; and $5 per year per enrolled student.

Today, the Rushville Public Library holds more than 35,000 books, over 1500 videos and DVDs, 1000 spoken-word cassettes and CDs, as well as collections of puppets and statues. Extensive genealogy and local and state history resources can be found in our Indiana Room. A special Wendell Willkie collection is also housed in our Indiana Room. Willkie, whose wife Edith Wilk was once a Rushville librarian, headquartered his 1940 presidential campaign in the famous Durbin Hotel here in Rushville! Services at our Library include homebound delivery, color copier, laminator, meeting room, FAX, computers and access to the Internet, and interlibrary loan.

The Library is staffed by five full-time and three part-time employees. The Library is administered by a seven member Board of Trustees: President Tim Yazel; Vice-president Marti Mullis; Secretary Ashley Stiers; Treasurer Rob Hadley; member Marcia Snyder; member Vincent Meo; and member Laura Steenstrup. The library attorney is Julie Newhouse.

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