“Indiana State Library” State Historical Marker To Be Dedicated in Indianapolis

A new Indiana state historical marker commemorating the Indiana State Library (ISL) will be dedicated on Tuesday, October 14. The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony, which will take place at the Indiana State Library at 315 W. Ohio St., in Indianapolis at 1 p.m. Parking validation will be available for attendees who park in the Senate Avenue parking garage directly across from the library and bring their ticket in for validation.

The new historical marker commemorates the State Library’s growth over the last two centuries and highlights its impact on education, culture, and state government. The marker is part of additional programming commemorating ISL’s bicentennial. Prior to the dedication, the library will offer a presentation on the institution’s history as part of ISL’s Lunch and Learn Series for those interested. That program will run from noon to 1 p.m.. To learn more about the Lunch and Learn Series and register, click here.

The text follows for the state marker entitled “Indiana State Library:”

The Indiana General Assembly established the Indiana State Library (ISL) in 1825 to provide reference services for state government. ISL was located in the Indiana Statehouse alongside other agencies. In 1903, legislation passed broadening ISL’s lending to all Hoosiers, thus supplementing local library collections and serving residents where no library yet existed. ISL’s physical collection and services grew quickly in the 20th century, necessitating the State Library and Historical Building, dedicated here in 1934. ISL gained renown for its reference, state, and federal document collections, literary services for the blind and physically handicapped, and genealogy materials, which have helped preserve Hoosier history and culture.

State historical markers commemorate significant individuals, organizations, places, and events in Indiana history. These markers help communities throughout the state promote, preserve, and present their history for the education and enjoyment of residents and tourists of all ages. For over 100 years, the Indiana Historical Bureau, a division of the Indiana State Library, has been marking Indiana history. Since 1946, the marker format has been the large roadside marker, which has the familiar dark blue background with gold lettering and the outline of the state of Indiana at the top. Over 750 of these markers have been installed over the years. The marker is one of over 100 markers to be installed in Marion County. For a listing of all markers in Marion County and statewide, click here.

For more information about the Indiana Historical Marker Program, including details on this marker, a listing of other markers in the state, or other resources about Indiana history, visit the Indiana Historical Bureau’s website at http://www.IN.gov/history or call 317-232-2537. For more information on the dedication, contact Marker Program Director Casey Pfeiffer at [email protected], and for information on the Lunch and Learn Series, contact ISL Collections and Outreach Manager Michelle Sharp at [email protected].