The Library Gets Its Start

Established in the state of Indiana on May 3, 1921, Fairmount Public Library began in one room of the Citizen's Exchange Bank at Main and Washington St., Fairmount, IN.

Quickly outgrowing this location, the library searched and found a two-story residence on S. Main St. belonging to the Holliday family, local doctors. After some renovation the library opened at 205 S. Main St. in September, 1930.

The Library Grows

While the library proper remained on the main floor, the upstairs in later years housed local school teachers and then library maintenance and cleaning workers. In the 1980s the upstairs was no longer rented out and became library storage.

By the 2000s the library had joined the technology era by adding public computers to the its offerings. Extended hours on Tuesday evenings offered the community more access to the books, videos, and computers. A monthly book discussion was offered as well as children's summer reading programs, Halloween parties, Harry Potter parties, and Winnie the Pooh pajama parties. These events were a challenge to fit in the 1200 square feet of disjointed rooms.

The Library Continues to Expand

Since the move a computer lab has been established for the public; DVDs, audiobooks, and music CDs have been added. Videos were deleted in 2021. With the additional space the library has been able to provide a variety of programs for its patrons to enjoy: plays, author talks, local author showcases, animal acts, magicians, and musical acts.

2017 saw the addition of HOOPLA, a digital platform allowing patrons to access e-books, audiobooks, music, movies, comics, and now, in 2022, magazines. This gives the library an opportunity to provide more services patrons can access outside the library walls.

In 2021 the library celebrated its 100th anniversary.