Eckhart Public Library
🏢 Evergreen Indiana · Auburn, Indiana
Eckhart Public Library
Founded in 1910 through the philanthropy of industrialist Charles Eckhart, Eckhart Public Library has anchored DeKalb County civic life for well over a century. Its campus at 603 S. Jackson Street includes the historic Main Library, a dedicated Teen Library, and the William H. Willennar Genealogy Center — a trio of buildings surrounded by Library Park.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–7pm |
| Thursday | 9am–7pm |
| Friday | 9am–7pm |
| Saturday | 9am–3pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 603 South Jackson Street, Auburn, IN 46706
Phone: (260) 925-2414
Website: epl.lib.in.us
Plus Code: 86HP9W7R+HX (Auburn, IN)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📍 Plan your visit
🚉 Getting there
603 S Jackson St, Auburn, IN 46706. Get transit & driving directions → (live subway, bus & car routes).
🚘 Parking
Free street parking nearby.
♿ Accessibility
Includes wheelchair-accessible entrance, accessible parking.
🛀 Amenities
Public restroom, baby changing table.
⭐ Visitor rating
4.8 / 5 from 88 Google reviews.
🕑 Best time to go
Usually calmest soon after opening; busiest around 4 pm.
Visit details from the library’s Google Business Profile, verified October 2026 — confirm on official page before a special-date trip.
📖 About Eckhart Public Library
Eckhart Public Library was established in 1910 when Auburn industrialist Charles Eckhart donated the funds and vision to build a community library on South Jackson Street. The cornerstone was laid on May 13, 1910, and the library has served DeKalb County residents ever since. A 2017 fire caused significant damage to the Main Library building, but restoration work preserved the historic character of the structure while modernizing its facilities. Today the campus spans four buildings and an outdoor educational park: the Main Library for adults and families, a separate Teen Library at 705 S. Jackson, the William H. Willennar Genealogy Center at 700 S. Jackson (specializing in local, state, and family history research), and an Administrative Annex used for Friends' Book Sales and donations. The library is a member of Evergreen Indiana, giving card holders access to the catalogs of more than 100 Indiana libraries, as well as statewide digital resources through INSPIRE.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded in 1910 by Auburn industrialist Charles Eckhart — the library celebrated its 115th anniversary in 2025 with a mayoral proclamation
- Multi-building campus on South Jackson Street: Main Library, Teen Library, and the William H. Willennar Genealogy Center
- Willennar Genealogy Center offers one of the region's most comprehensive local-history and genealogy research collections, with its own dedicated staff
- Open Mon–Fri until 7 pm, serving working families, students, and after-school visitors throughout DeKalb County
- Restored after a 2017 fire that damaged the historic Main Library, preserving its original character for future generations
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Eckhart cardholders can read, stream, and research free through Indiana's statewide and consortium digital collections:
📚 Services
- William H. Willennar Genealogy Center with local, county, and state history collections
- Teen Library — a dedicated space for middle and high schoolers (opens 3:30 pm weekdays, noon Saturdays)
- Public computers, printing, copying, faxing & free Wi-Fi
- Curbside locker pickup (available 24/7 at the Administrative Annex)
- Home delivery of library materials for patrons unable to visit
- Meeting room reservations at the Main Library and Genealogy Center
- Interlibrary loan through Evergreen Indiana (100+ member libraries)
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and Read. Do. Explore. youth programming
- Teen programs including STEAM, crafts, and school-break activities
- Adult programs, book clubs, and genealogy workshops
- Summer Reading Program for all ages
- Friends of Eckhart Public Library events and annual book sales
- Community gardening and outdoor programming in Library Park
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northeast Indiana
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many items can I borrow through Eckhart Public Library's catalog?
Eckhart is a member of the Evergreen Indiana consortium, so your library card gives you access to more than 7 million items shared across Evergreen member libraries statewide, which you can request to pick up in Auburn. The library also lends eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, and streaming movies and TV. Here's how to borrow free ebooks and audiobooks.
Is the library's Wi-Fi available when the building is closed?
Yes. Eckhart broadcasts public Wi-Fi (the "EPL Public" network) 24 hours a day, so you can connect from the parking area or outdoor seating even after the building closes. Holds can also be collected any time from the 24-hour curbside pickup lockers at the Administrative Annex (212 W. 12th St.).
Who was Charles Eckhart, and why is the library named after him?
Charles Eckhart was an Auburn industrialist whose philanthropic vision and financial gift established the library in 1910. The cornerstone was laid on May 13, 1910, and the institution has carried his name ever since. The Eckhart Library Foundation continues to support the library's operations and infrastructure more than 115 years later.
What is the Willennar Genealogy Center and when is it open?
The William H. Willennar Genealogy Center at 700 S. Jackson St. is a dedicated research facility for local, state, and family history. It is open Monday and Tuesday 9 am–7 pm, Thursday 9 am–5 pm, and Saturday 9 am–noon. Wednesday and Friday visits require an appointment. It has its own phone line (888-241-4393) and email (genealogy@epl.lib.in.us).
Is the Teen Library open the same hours as the Main Library?
No. The Teen Library at 705 S. Jackson St. has different hours: weekdays it opens at 3:30 pm and closes at 7 pm (or at noon on days when DeKalb Central Schools have a previously scheduled closure, such as Spring Break). On Saturdays it is open noon–3 pm. It is closed on Sundays.
Can I pick up holds outside regular hours at Eckhart Public Library?
Yes. The library offers 24-hour curbside locker pickup at the Administrative Annex at 212 W. 12th St. You can also sign up for home delivery, which goes out every other Friday, if you are unable to visit in person.
📜 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.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
