Library History

                                                    

Dale                                                                              Chrisney

  • 1938, the Abe Lincoln Youth District Library Association was formed to build a library in Dale, Indiana.
  • In May 1945, a Memorial Library was planned. A one-room library, staffed by volunteers and consisting of paperback books, was developed.
  • By 1978, a more formal facility was considered, and in 1985, the Dale Women’s Organization began a drive to form a permanent library. With cooperation from the town of Dale and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, a room in the former St. Joseph’s Elementary School became the home of the town library.
    Members of the Dale Jaycees assisted with remodeling and running the library.
  • In 1989, The Dale Community Volunteer Library changed its name to Lincoln Heritage Public Library, serving the demographic area that consisted of the North Spencer School Corporation (Carter, Clay, Grass, Huff, Harrison & Jackson Townships).
  • The first president of the LHPL board was Narl Conner.
  • A goal was to construct the library on property donated by the Park Board of Dale.
  • The groundbreaking was on March 2, 1991, and the dedication was on December 8, 1991.
  • The cost of the 10,000-square-foot building was $704,000, of which $63,000 was raised by donations.
  • Kathy Dilger was hired as the first librarian in 1990.
  • In 2003, a computer lab, a new children’s room with a storytime room, and an Indiana/Genealogy room were added. All construction was completed in 2004.
  • The main branch celebrated its 25th anniversary in December 2016.
  • LHPL Chrisney Branch is Indiana’s first certified net-zero public library, and it used solar and geothermal technology in April 2009. Click here for more info on the Sunny Portal & More
  • Lt. Governor Becky Skillman awarded the library the Partner In Progress Award, the highest award the Lieutenant Governor gave. LHPL Chrisney Branch was recognized for being a leader in renewable energy and making a lasting impact on the state of Indiana.
  • With a population of 540 people (in the year 2006), the citizens of Chrisney donated over $80,000 for funding to build the library.
  • The library’s solar power pavilion was built by Morton Solar & Wind, LLC, a local renewable energy solution provider. It was designed by lead architect Bill Brown, a Spencer County native and director of sustainability for Indiana.
  • The company’s owner is Brad Morton, a 1992 University of Southern Indiana graduate.
  • LHPL Chrisney Branch was staffed primarily by volunteers, many of them retired school teachers. Chrisney native and branch Manager Litha Synder retired after serving the branch for ten years. Currently, the library is under the guidance of Angela Hall.
  • PBS Special
  • Spencer County
  • The Chrisney Branch celebrated its 5th anniversary in April 2014.
  • The Chrisney Branch celebrated its 10th anniversary in April 2019.
  • The Chrisney Branch celebrated its 15th anniversary on April 19, 2024