1887- John W.  Short, Superintendent of the Union County Indiana schools, tries and fails to create a library fund.

1892- Small donations, and gift of books by Mrs. Albert Davis, creates a library at the school in Liberty. 

1900- Before this date, Superintendent Short and the School Board set aside a small annual appropriation for book purchases.  In 1900 the collection totaled 725 volumes.
 

The above photo is inside the UCPL. Miss Esther Hamilton the first librarian is on the left. Miss Gladys Lippett, her assistant is behind the circulation desk.  This circulation desk is still in use. 

1902- The Society of Alumni made a cash donation, and the School Board opened the library to Society members.  The collection mounted to 1,005 volumes.

1909- Further to increase the collection (and to free the School Board from buying books for the general public), Superintendent Thomas W.  Record used the Lincoln Centennial to raise money.  The library gained 150 books and $147.50! 

1913- The School Board transferred the library to the Stanley Memorial Building (in Liberty) and dubs it a Public Library, with its own Board of Trustees.  The librarian was Miss Esther Hamilton.  Many volumes were received as gifts, and the collection mounted to 2,290 volumes.  

1915-  After several failed attempts, the library gained $10,000 from the Carnegie Foundation for the construction of a new building.  Ground was broken  May 17, 1915 and the new building was dedicated October 8, 1915. 

1917- Making prompt use of a new state law, the Union County Commissioners levied a modest county tax and, accordingly, opened the library to all county residents. 

1928- Book mobile service to twelve A stations throughout the county made reading materials available to the entire county.  More than 42,000 volumes circulated through these stations in that year. 

The picture on the right is a picture of our early Book Mobile

1930's - 1960's - The library continued to grow, impeded only by the Great Depression and World War II.  

1971- The Indiana Library Free Film service was inaugurated.  Books and films were taken to Union County patrons who were unable to get to the library to make use of the facility. 

1985- The College Corner (Indiana) branch was opened. 

1986- The library board decided to attempt to secure funds through a grant and bonds for the erection of a larger building.  A petition to residents of Union County asked for signatures to support the issuance of bonds to raise $745,000 for a new building.  The library proposal was signed by 500 residents who favored the new building and 1,500 did not favor it. The Carnegie Building remained. 

1988- Major improvements were in progress. These included repairs to the roof due to severe leakage, wood work was refinished, painting was done on both levels and new carpeting was installed. 

1990- The properties East and South of the library were purchased.  A parking area was developed on the property South. 

1992- The year the Friends of the Library became very active. 

1993-  A new gas furnace with central air was installed. 

1994-  An engineering firm was hired for design of a new addition to meet ADA standards.  The bids were opened  December 8, 1994 for construction. 

1995- Construction of the addition was completed.  The College Corner Branch was closed. 

1998- After many months of organization and planning, the Union County Public Library's card file and circulation were computerized.  

2000- Hired Library Consultant, Matt Simon, to do a feasibility study for growth and expansion.

2002 - Expansion floor plans are displayed and preliminary preparations for a much needed addition are begun.

2003 - The library held it's first ever FUNdraiser in the spring to raise money for our building project.  Ground was broken and the expansion began.  Due to unforeseen circumstances and a very wet summer it seemed like we were going to have a very large swimming pool, but eventually the weather dried and now construction has commenced.

2005 -  After a long and difficult struggle....Gillette Construction was finally out of here in the winter of 2005.

2008 -   September UCPL was a pilot library in the Evergreen Indiana Project.  We came live live in October.  Purchased the house to the south of the Library

2009 -   The house was torn down and the lot smoothed for an expanded parking lot.

This is the past....the future is yet to come

people have made this historical journey

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