06/04/2026
Throwback Thursday: Plainfield’s Carnegie Library (continued) Celebrating 125 Years!
As we continue the history of the Plainfield Carnegie library, we begin with the 1940s…
In 1942, the Library underwent a small renovation which included new chairs for the Assembly room, a new Reading Room ceiling, painting and cleaning of the shelves, books, woodwork, and windows. That year, the Librarian also reported that circulation was going down a bit. She suspected the reason was that more people were employed and had less time for reading, and also that they had more money to spend on other entertainments. But all of the bills were paid and the Library was running smoothly.
However, by 1949, finances were again plaguing the Board, which enacted a “policy of rigid economy” for the first six months of 1950 to bring balance to the books. In March of 1950, a nationwide coal miners’ strike left Indiana with critically low fuel supplies, and the library building was closed and the heat turned off for the duration of the shortage. By 1955, finances had stabilized, and the Library was rewired and relighted, and new doors were purchased.
In 1963, Frances Jones, who had been the Librarian since 1924, submitted her resignation for retirement. The Board needed to find a replacement, but the Librarian salary was so low, they had little hope of finding a professional who would consider the position. But later that year, in a fortuitous move, Mary McMillan was hired as Librarian. Mrs. McMillan would propel the library into the coming decades with her forward-thinking ideas, including the formation of the Friends of the Library group in 1965.
Circulation continued to grow, as did the inventory of books. A Long-range Planning Committee was also formed in 1965, which grappled with modernizing the library, as well as finding more space. After much discussion and study, the Board voted that the committee begin working on a plan to construct a new building to meet future needs.
In 1966, George Hardin’s land at the corner of Simmons St. and Stafford Road was chosen for the new library. Construction on the new library commenced in January of 1968.
Next up: The library moves to Stafford Road
Photo 1: An undated photo of the library’s Reading Room (mid-1950s)
Photo 2: Edna Hamblen is at the front desk; Library Director Mary McMillan can be seen in the office in the background in a white jacket. (mid-1960s)
Photo 3: The adult reading room in the mid-1960s
Photo 4: The mid-1960s shows the dire lack of space in the stacks
Photo 5: Children attend story time in the basement Assembly room - 1964
