Greentown Public Library

Serving the Greentown Community since 1920!

A Brief History:

The history of the Greentown & Eastern Howard School Public Library is both colorful and unique. In a 1919 meeting of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Farmer's Institute, the issue of a ladies' restroom was discussed. After consulting with some of the influential businessmen of the town, it was suggested by Mr. J. D. Haworth that they work toward this end with the idea of installing a library in connection with the restroom. The idea was favorable with the citizens and an organizational meeting was held in September 1919.

The library opened a room in the old town hall in 1920. The library soon outgrew this location and in 1921 was invited to move to the "new" Greentown School. The room was provided rent-free. Although the library was in the school, it was not "part" of the school.

1950 was a watershed year. Consolidation occurred when Greentown School, Union Township School and Jackson Township School unified. In December 1950, the library board passed a resolution for conversion to the new library law of 1947, and the Greentown Eastern Howard School & Public Library became a library district. In 1953 the library moved out of the school facility because of no room, but in 1955 moved to the new elementary building.

When the new middle & high school building was completed in 1967, the library split its collection of materials and moved the adult & teen books to the new building, and the juvenile collection remained at the elementary building.

The Greentown Eastern Howard School & Public Library is here to serve all citizens in Liberty, Jackson and Union Townships of Howard County, Indiana.