Fort Branch–Johnson Township Public Library
🏢 Fort Branch–Johnson Township Public Library · Fort Branch, Indiana
Fort Branch–Johnson Township Public Library
Fort Branch–Johnson Township Public Library occupies one of Indiana's historic Carnegie buildings — opened in 1917 with a $10,500 Carnegie grant — and today has grown into a two-location system serving Gibson County, with a 2022–2023 expansion that added a Creation Station, genealogy room, and preschool space to the original Locust Street structure.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–6pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6pm |
| Friday | 1pm–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–1pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 107 EAST LOCUST STREET, FORT BRANCH, IN 47648
Phone: +1812-753-4212
Website: fortbranchlibrary.com
Plus Code: 86CJ6CWF+W2 (FORT BRANCH, IN)
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📖 About Fort Branch–Johnson Township Public Library
The Fort Branch Public Library opened in June 1917, funded by a $10,500 grant from Andrew Carnegie's philanthropic foundation — one of 165 Carnegie library buildings constructed in Indiana between 1901 and 1918, more than in any other state. The building rose on a Locust Street lot that the town's first Library Board purchased in May 1916, previously used as a cow pasture. The library's first librarian, Mattie Holcomb, served until 1934. In the early 1980s the library merged with Johnson Township to address a gap in public library services in the surrounding rural area, leading to the opening of a Haubstadt branch in 1982 (relocated to a new 2,500-square-foot building in 2013). In 2001, then-director Lois Kissel added the Fort Branch Learning Center adjacent to the original Carnegie structure, and a major 2022–2023 renovation connected the two buildings while adding a Creation Station makerspace, dedicated genealogy research area, and a preschool room — all while preserving the Carnegie-era facade.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Original 1917 Carnegie building — one of Indiana's 165 Carnegie libraries, built on land purchased from a Locust Street cow pasture
- 2022–2023 expansion added a Creation Station (laser cutter, Cricut, and maker equipment), genealogy research room, and preschool space
- Two-branch system: Fort Branch (107 E Locust) plus Haubstadt branch (101 W Gibson St) — Mon–Thu 9am–6pm, Fri 1–5pm
- Oral history collection and local school yearbooks preserved in the genealogy research area
- INSPIRE Indiana — free statewide access to Ancestry genealogy databases, academic journals, and legal resources for all Indiana residents
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Fort Branch–Johnson Township library cardholders can access digital books, genealogy databases, and more free through Indiana's statewide programs:
📚 Services
- Creation Station makerspace: laser cutter, Cricut machine, and maker equipment (ages 14+ with Make and Master certification)
- Genealogy research area with local oral history collection and school yearbooks
- Public computers with free internet access
- Free Wi-Fi
- Print, copy, fax, and scan services
- Preschool room for early childhood programming
- Meeting and community space
- Libby digital lending (eBooks and audiobooks)
- Experience passes for local attractions
- Interlibrary loan through Evergreen Indiana network
🎸 Programs
- Library Little Ones (ages 2–24 months): early literacy and language
- Toddle Time (ages 2–3): storytelling and crafts
- 1000 Books Before Kindergarten reading challenge with prizes
- Story Hour (ages 4–5): preschool-style literacy sessions
- Book Builders LEGO Club (K–8th grade): monthly themed building
- S.T.E.A.M. Activities: monthly after-school classes by grade level
- Make and Master: certification training for Creation Station equipment (ages 14+)
- Modern Book Club and Classic Book Club for adults
- Touch B.A.S.E.: twice-weekly light exercise for seniors
- Senior BINGO and Senior Yoga programs
- Summer reading program
📍 Nearby Libraries in Gibson County & Southwest Indiana
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in FORT BRANCH · Browse all Indiana libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fort Branch library building the original 1917 Carnegie structure?
Yes — the core of the building at 107 E Locust Street is the original Carnegie library, funded by a $10,500 grant from Andrew Carnegie and opened in June 1917. The building's Carnegie-era facade has been preserved through all subsequent expansions. In 2001 a Learning Center was added adjacent to the original structure, and the 2022–2023 renovation connected both buildings while adding the Creation Station, genealogy research room, and preschool space.
What genealogy resources are available at Fort Branch?
The library has a dedicated genealogy research area containing local oral history recordings and a collection of Gibson County school yearbooks. Digitally, all Indiana library cardholders — including Fort Branch card holders — have free access to INSPIRE Indiana, which includes the full Ancestry genealogy database, historical newspaper archives, and additional research tools, available remotely from any device.
What is the Creation Station, and who can use it?
The Creation Station is the library's makerspace, added in the 2022–2023 expansion, equipped with a laser cutter, Cricut machine, and related maker tools. Patrons aged 14 and older can take the library's Make and Master certification training — available as a scheduled class — to learn to operate the equipment safely. Once certified, you can book time to work on your own projects.
Does the library also have a Haubstadt branch?
Yes. The Haubstadt branch of Fort Branch–Johnson Township Public Library is located at 101 W Gibson Street in Haubstadt, IN 47639 (phone: 812-768-6005). It shares the same hours as the Fort Branch location: Monday–Thursday 9 am–6 pm and Friday 1–5 pm. The Haubstadt branch is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
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