Shoals Public Library
🏢 Shoals Public Library · Shoals, Indiana
Shoals Public Library
Built in 1914 with Andrew Carnegie's philanthropy, Shoals Public Library is a century-old landmark at the corner of U.S. Highway 50 and High Street, still faithfully serving Martin County families from the same historic building.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–5pm |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 12pm–7pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–1pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 404 HIGH STREET, SHOALS, IN 47581
Phone: +1812-247-3838
Website: shoals.lib.in.us
Plus Code: 86CMM685+8W (SHOALS, IN)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Shoals Public Library
Shoals Public Library stands at 404 High Street on the corner of U.S. Highway 50 in Shoals — a Carnegie Library constructed in 1914 and one of Indiana's most enduring small-town reading institutions. Funded by the steel magnate's famous library philanthropy program, the building has anchored the cultural life of Martin County for over a century. Today, director Alyssa Fithian and desk clerk Georgia Cunningham welcome patrons to a collection of books, DVDs, audiobooks, and magazines, complemented by three desktop computers, four laptops available for checkout, and free Wi-Fi throughout the building. Children and teens have dedicated computer stations with educational software and iPads. The library participates in the Evergreen Indiana shared catalog, meaning cardholders can request items from hundreds of Indiana libraries. Thursday's extended evening hours to 7pm are a particular convenience for working families in this rural Martin County community of around 700 residents.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Carnegie Library built in 1914 — over a century of continuous service to Martin County
- Extended Thursday hours until 7pm — one of the few evening access points for working families in Shoals
- Three public desktops, four lending laptops, and iPads for younger patrons with educational software
- Part of Evergreen Indiana shared catalog — request items from hundreds of Indiana libraries
- Access to INSPIRE Indiana state databases — research tools, test prep, health, and genealogy — at no cost
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Indiana cardholders unlock INSPIRE, the state's free research database platform, plus digital lending through Libby and the Evergreen Indiana shared catalog.
📚 Services
- Book, DVD, audiobook, and magazine lending
- Three public desktop computers with internet access
- Four lending laptops available for checkout
- Children's and teen iPads with educational software
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free library card for Martin County residents
- Copies and fax (nominal fee)
- INSPIRE Indiana research databases
- Evergreen Indiana shared catalog and interlibrary loans
- Libby digital lending
🎸 Programs
- Children's story time and reading activities
- Summer reading program for kids and teens
- Community events and seasonal programming
📍 Nearby Libraries in Martin County & Southern Indiana
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are Shoals Public Library's hours?
The library is open Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 10am–5pm; Thursday 12pm–7pm; and Saturday 9am–1pm. It is closed Wednesday and Sunday.
Is Shoals Public Library really a Carnegie Library?
Yes. The building was constructed in 1914 with a grant from Andrew Carnegie's library philanthropy program, making it one of Indiana's historic Carnegie libraries still in active public use today.
Can I borrow laptops at Shoals Public Library?
Yes. The library has four laptops available for patron checkout in addition to three in-library desktop computers. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building.
What is INSPIRE Indiana and can I use it from home?
INSPIRE is Indiana's free statewide database service, providing access to research databases, test prep tools, health information, career guides, and historic Indiana newspapers. Indiana library cardholders can access INSPIRE from home at inspire.in.gov.
📜 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 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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