(Brookville, IN) – The Franklin County Public Library District (FCPLD) recently purchased the home of John Newman, located at 912 Main Street.
This historic, two-story brick building (pictured) will eventually house the library’s Local History and Genealogy Department.
Its growth has made the need for additional space more prevalent, according to the library district.
“Under Julie Schlesselman’s leadership, our Local History and Genealogy Department has grown both in reputation and in volume,” said FCPLD Director, Susan Knight. “Our community has generously donated books, photographs, diaries, family research documents, and more including significant-sized collections from Ed Baker and Don Dunaway. Along with the Indiana Album, the Indiana State Library, and the Allen County Public Library, we were gifted with a select portion of Mr. Newman’s papers, books, and ephemera. Mr. Newman’s collection alone filled Brookville’s upper study room. It is a collection that will take months to years to catalog.”
Mr. Newman passed away last October at the age of 83.
The home was purchased at auction on May 2 for $290,000.
Libraries are unique government entities that can save revenue for future use. The FCPLD, through the diligence of the library board, has been saving funds to be put toward future growth. The Newman House was purchased with those saved funds, and there will be no tax increase.
The spacious building will provide needed storage space as well as offer workspace for patrons who travel near and far for historical research. Other display and programming ideas are currently being evaluated.
This residence, dubbed “The Judiciary” by Newman, was home to several judges and the library districti says makes for a perfect marriage with the Local History and Genealogy Department.
“When Brookville Library’s 2018 annex was under construction, Mr. Newman teased that plans should have included a tunnel under Main Street to connect his house to the library,” said Knight. “At the time, it was a joke linked to traffic and inclement weather. Now, it feels like foresight we ignored.”
The library district says it is grateful to be able to make the purchase for this much-needed expansion and is looking forward to sharing the project’s progress with patrons and the community.
