Our History

The roots of the Perry County Public Library trace back to 1893, when a group of 30 Tell City residents each contributed $3 to form the Tell City Library Association. Their pooled funds purchased books that were housed at Schreiber’s Drug Store, where they were circulated among local readers.

In 1905, under the leadership of Tell City Schools Superintendent Chris Newman, the first true public library system was launched. With the School Board overseeing operations and City Council approval of a library tax, the library found its first home in a room inside City Hall, replacing the original lending library.

As City Hall’s use evolved, the need for a dedicated library building became evident. In 1916, the School Board secured a $10,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation, and the city provided the land at the corner of 9th and Franklin Streets. The Tell City Public Library opened its doors in 1917.

Over the decades, the library continued to expand:

• In 1967, a major addition doubled the building’s size with funding from the Library and Services Construction Act and bond sales.
• In 1982, a gift from the L.R. Chapman estate allowed for remodeling of the historic Carnegie building and the creation of a public meeting room.
• By 2002, the need for more space and technology led to the construction of a modern facility at 2328 Tell Street, made possible through a generous donation of property by Mr. and Mrs. Guy Neil Ramsey, additional public and private donations, Build Indiana Funds, and bond sales.

The current library building includes:

• A 15-station technology lab
• Dedicated genealogy department
• Children’s department and story time room
• Study rooms and meeting room
• Garage and storage for the Perry County Bookmobile

The Perry County Bookmobile, serving rural Perry County since the early 1960s, was formally integrated into the library in 1996, when the Perry County Contractual Library merged with the Tell City Public Library to form the Tell City–Perry County Public Library.

In January 2012, the library expanded further by merging with the Cannelton Library District, creating a unified library system for all of Perry County. The newly merged system was renamed the Perry County Public Library and joined the Evergreen Indiana Consortium, offering patrons access to materials from over 100 libraries statewide.

Today, the Perry County Public Library continues to serve the community with innovative programs, modern resources, and a deep commitment to lifelong learning.

Mission Statement

Perry County Public Library provides all residents of Perry County with access to materials, resources, and services for education, information, and recreation through our three branch locations and outreach services.