Monroe County Library records
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: S2247
Scope and Contents
This collection contains photocopies of the early record book of the Monroe County Library. Ranging from 1821 to 1855, the entries include the meeting minutes of the Board of Trustees, treasurer's reports, and bylaws. There is also an undated "Catalog of Books" that lists more than 830 books chronologically by the library's initial catalog numbering system.
Dates
- 1821-1855
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Historical Note
An early act passed by the Indiana General Assembly alotted ten percent of the proceeds from the sale of county seat lots for the use of a public library. The Monroe County Library was established in 1820 and the first books purchased were housed in a room at the courthouse. By the 1830s, the library collection had grown to over 800 books and they were initially cataloged chronologically starting with the number 1. Early library use was restricted to qualified voters (men) and it took nearly thirty years before a provision was made to allow women and children to use the library, and then only during scheduled times separate from male patrons.
Sources:
Information found within collection.
"Library Celebrating Birthday." Daily Herald-Telephone (Bloomington, IN), April 13, 1970.
Monroe County Public Library. "About the Library: Library History." Accessed December 10, 2021. https://mcpl.info/geninfo/library-history.
Sources:
Information found within collection.
"Library Celebrating Birthday." Daily Herald-Telephone (Bloomington, IN), April 13, 1970.
Monroe County Public Library. "About the Library: Library History." Accessed December 10, 2021. https://mcpl.info/geninfo/library-history.
Extent
0.04 Cubic Feet (2 folders)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Charles Hunsberger on 1966/09/27.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2021/12/10 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid created 2021/12/10 by Laura Eliason.
- Title
- Monroe County Library records
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
