Washington Carnegie Public Library
🏢 Evergreen Indiana · Washington, Indiana
Washington Carnegie Public Library
Washington Carnegie Public Library holds the distinction of being the first Carnegie library dedicated in Indiana — the 1902 building at 300 W. Main Street anchors the seat of Daviess County with a genealogy research center, Kanopy streaming, and evening hours three nights a week.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–7pm |
| Thursday | 10am–5pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 300 WEST MAIN STREET, WASHINGTON, IN 47501
Phone: (812) 254-4586
Website: washingtonpubliclibrary.org
Plus Code: 86CJMR4C+Q7 (WASHINGTON, IN)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Washington Carnegie Public Library
Washington Carnegie Public Library serves the city of Washington, Indiana, the county seat of Daviess County in the southwestern part of the state. Dedicated in 1902 with a $20,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie, it was the first Carnegie library to open in Indiana — a distinction that has made it a point of local pride for more than 120 years. The building at 300 West Main Street houses a collection of nearly 40,000 volumes along with microfilmed newspapers and census records, and is home to one of Daviess County's most comprehensive genealogy and local history research centers, staffed by librarians experienced in tracing Indiana family lines. The library is a member of the Evergreen Indiana consortium, so a Washington card unlocks shared holdings from libraries across the state. Digital resources include INSPIRE — Indiana's statewide virtual library — as well as Kanopy for streaming films and documentaries, Libby for eBooks and audiobooks, and World Book Online for research. Services range from printing and faxing to mobile hotspot lending and free meeting room access.
⭐ What makes this library special
- First Carnegie library dedicated in Indiana — opened 1902, funded by a $20,000 Andrew Carnegie grant
- Genealogy & Local History Research Center with microfilmed newspapers, census records, family histories and county histories
- Member of Evergreen Indiana consortium — one card unlocks shared holdings from libraries statewide
- Kanopy, Libby and INSPIRE statewide digital access included free with every library card
- Mobile hotspot lending, printing, copying, faxing and free meeting room available to the public
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Washington Carnegie cardholders can stream, borrow and research free through Indiana's statewide and consortium digital resources:
📚 Services
- Free library cards for Daviess County residents
- Genealogy & Local History Research Center with certified research assistance
- Public computers, printing, copying and faxing
- Mobile hotspot lending
- Free meeting room (up to capacity)
- Interlibrary loan through Evergreen Indiana
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth programming
- Summer reading for all ages
- Genealogy research workshops and local history programs
- Adult programs and community events
- Book discussion groups
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southern Indiana
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in WASHINGTON · Browse all Indiana libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Washington Carnegie Public Library historically significant?
It was the first Carnegie library to be dedicated in Indiana, opening in 1902 with funding from a $20,000 Andrew Carnegie grant. Over 120 years later, the original building at 300 West Main Street still serves as Washington's public library, making it one of Indiana's longest continually operating Carnegie institutions.
What genealogy resources are available at the Washington Carnegie Public Library?
The library operates a dedicated Genealogy & Local History Research Center with microfilmed newspapers, census records, birth, marriage and death indexes, cemetery records, family records, and local histories for Daviess County and Indiana. Research assistance is provided by certified librarians experienced in genealogical research.
Can I borrow a mobile hotspot from the library?
Yes. Washington Carnegie Public Library lends mobile hotspots, which can be checked out and taken home to provide broadband internet access — a useful resource for patrons without home connectivity.
Does the library offer free streaming video?
Yes. Library cardholders have free access to Kanopy, a streaming service offering thousands of films, documentaries and educational courses including The Great Courses series, all available without waitlists with a valid Washington Carnegie library card.
📜 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.
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