INDIANAPOLIS — A pastor’s handwritten 1868 sermon calling for the establishment of an Indianapolis library as well as photographs from Central Library’s 1916 cornerstone ceremony are part of an extensive online collection chronicling the rich history of The Indianapolis Public Library.
The Lawrence J. Downey Library History Collection is the Library’s latest offering of digital images and recordings of historical and cultural interest to Indianapolis citizens, students and researchers. It is presented in memory of the Library’s former Associate Director who served the Indy Library for 42 years, retiring in 1988. Many of the images are included in Downey’s 1991 book, A Live Thing in the Whole Town, which provides a comprehensive history of the institution.
In addition to photos, newsletters, annual reports and other artifacts found in the Nina Mason Pulliam Indianapolis Special Collections Room at Central Library, the new digital collection includes documents that led to the creation of the city’s first public library and historic photos show the early use of the Library by children and patrons along with those of the city’s original branch buildings.
The Indy Library’s overall digital collection includes historic Indianapolis firefighter photos and objects, Indianapolis Public Schools yearbooks, and much more. To access this collection, visit www.indypl.org and click on the Digital Collections link from the homepage.
