Aurora Public Library (Aurora, Indiana)
Encyclopedia
The Aurora Public Library was first organized by voluntary contributions. When the town was incorporated in 1819 a lot on Fifth Street (then called Literary Street) was set aside for a public library, but it took time for enough funds to be raised for its establishment.
In 1882 fundraising by the sale of stock in the library property was done in $5 per share for 141 shares, subscribed by 51 people, and the sale of the library lot for another $700 raising $1,405. Non-shareholders could access the library for $1.50 a year.
In 1901 the library with its 3,500 volumes and "several current magazines" was transferred to the city, and opened in two "well lighted rooms" in the city building three afternoons and two evenings per week with an annual circulation totaling 11,000. It was funded with a 3 cent tax per $100 in property value ($370 per year) supplemented by donations of books and money. A 1904 account stated that under its board selected by the city council "Aurora now has a good, free, public library operating under a very favorable law and there is no reason why, fostered as it is, it should not fulfill the expectations of the liberal minded founders of the city who planned for a community where culture would be general and where ignorance should have no place."
The current Aurora Library building was constructed by the Cincinnati architectural firm of Garber & Woodward. The Renaissance style building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places
among other historic Indiana buildings.
In 1882 fundraising by the sale of stock in the library property was done in $5 per share for 141 shares, subscribed by 51 people, and the sale of the library lot for another $700 raising $1,405. Non-shareholders could access the library for $1.50 a year.
In 1901 the library with its 3,500 volumes and "several current magazines" was transferred to the city, and opened in two "well lighted rooms" in the city building three afternoons and two evenings per week with an annual circulation totaling 11,000. It was funded with a 3 cent tax per $100 in property value ($370 per year) supplemented by donations of books and money. A 1904 account stated that under its board selected by the city council "Aurora now has a good, free, public library operating under a very favorable law and there is no reason why, fostered as it is, it should not fulfill the expectations of the liberal minded founders of the city who planned for a community where culture would be general and where ignorance should have no place."
The current Aurora Library building was constructed by the Cincinnati architectural firm of Garber & Woodward. The Renaissance style building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
among other historic Indiana buildings.