Argos Public Library

🏢 Argos Public Library · Argos, Indiana

Argos Public Library

The Argos Public Library has served Green and Walnut Townships from the heart of downtown Argos since it opened on January 11, 1936 — founded by the Monday Club with a community book drive and the Argos Boy Scouts. Today it occupies the landmark Schoonover Building at 142 North Michigan Street, a pair of 1870s commercial structures donated by retired businessman Charles Schoonover and renovated over five years into the library's current home.

📞 (574) 892-5818🌐 argospubliclibrary.com🧭 Get directions
🕑 Hours & visit📖 About⭐ Highlights📚 Services📍 Nearby❓ FAQ

🕑 Library Hours

Monday 10am–6pm
Tuesday 10am–6pm
Wednesday 10am–6pm
Thursday 10am–6pm
Friday 10am–6pm
Saturday 10am–2pm
Sunday Closed

Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.

📍 Location, Contact & Directions

Address: 142 N Michigan Street, Argos, IN 46501

Phone: (574) 892-5818

Website: argospubliclibrary.com

Plus Code: 86HM6QQ3+2R (Argos, IN)

QR code with directions to Argos Public Library

📱 Scan for directions

Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.

Get directions →

👋 Use the Library Online

&🔍Search the Argos catalog →&🌐Library website & card info →&🎓INSPIRE — Indiana's Virtual Library →

📖 About Argos Public Library

The Argos Public Library's story begins in 1935, when the Monday Club began organizing to bring a public library to the north-central Indiana town. A committee secured funding and books, and the library opened January 11, 1936, starting life behind the clerk-treasurer's office on East Walnut Street. The Argos Boy Scouts conducted a community book drive on January 25, 1936, and local organizations held fundraisers to sustain the new institution. After years in the City Building — the library transitioned to tax funding in 1942, and Green and Walnut Townships merged into the library district in 1952 — the library's modern chapter began in 2003 when Charles Schoonover, a retired businessman, donated two adjacent downtown buildings dating from the 1870s that had served as a dry goods store for over a century. Renovation began October 27, 2003, and after several setbacks, the library officially moved in December 2009 with community help, opening at its current location at 142 North Michigan Street on January 5, 2010. The downtown building preserves a tangible link to Argos's 19th-century commercial heritage while housing a fully modern public library serving the community well into the 21st century.

⭐ What makes this library special

  • Founded January 11, 1936, by the Monday Club — Argos Boy Scouts held a community book drive just two weeks after opening day
  • Housed in the historic Schoonover Building at 142 N Michigan St: two 1870s commercial buildings donated by a community benefactor and renovated over five years
  • Opened at its current downtown location January 5, 2010, after a community-wide move from the former City Building
  • Library district formed in 1942 when tax funding was secured; expanded in 1952 when Green and Walnut Townships joined the district
  • Online catalog powered by Biblionix; digital resources include Libby and hoopla

📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card

Argos Public Library cardholders can borrow, stream, and research free through Indiana's statewide digital offerings:

&📚 Libby AppeBooks & audiobooks via Indiana Digital Library, free with your Argos library card.
&🎧 hooplaMovies, music, comics, audiobooks and TV — available instantly with no holds or waitlists.
&🎓 INSPIREIndiana's virtual library: academic journals, magazines, historic newspapers and research databases, free for all Indiana residents.

📚 Services

  • Public computers with free internet access and Wi-Fi
  • Printing, copying, faxing and scanning
  • Interlibrary loan
  • Reference and readers advisory assistance
  • Community programming and meeting space

🎸 Programs

  • Mountain Movers (children's programming)
  • TNT (teen programming)
  • Little Explorers (early childhood)
  • Needle Queens (crafting group)
  • Summer reading program
  • Community events and author programs

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When did the Argos Public Library open, and who founded it?

The library opened on January 11, 1936, organized by the Monday Club, a civic group that formed a committee, secured funding and books, and enlisted the Argos Boy Scouts to conduct a community book drive two weeks later. The library started in a room behind the clerk-treasurer's office on East Walnut Street and transitioned to tax funding in 1942.

What is the Schoonover Building, and why does the library occupy it?

In 2003, retired businessman Charles Schoonover donated two adjacent downtown buildings dating from the 1870s — formerly a dry goods store for over a century — to the library. After renovation that began October 27, 2003, the library moved in December 2009 and officially opened at 142 North Michigan Street on January 5, 2010. The historic commercial buildings now form the library's permanent home in downtown Argos.

What youth programs does the Argos Public Library offer?

The library runs several recurring youth programs: Mountain Movers for children, Little Explorers for early childhood, and TNT (Teens 'N Things) for teenagers. A summer reading program runs annually. The Needle Queens crafting group is open to adults, and additional community events are offered throughout the year.

What are the library's hours, and how do I access eBooks and audiobooks?

The library is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm; it is closed on Sundays. Indiana cardholders can borrow eBooks and audiobooks for free through the Libby app via the Indiana Digital Library, and can stream movies, music, and comics through hoopla with no waitlists.

🖨 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.

Go up