

In 2018, to better represent the community in which the library served, the Rockville Public Library changed its name to the Parke County Public Library. Original columns for the stairs were removed and slight changes were made to the appearance of the front entry.
ROCKVILLE SENTINEL NEWSPAPER FREE
All residents within Parke County can have access to a free library.ĭue to structural issues and crumbling limestone, the library’s front steps had to be repaired. County-wide service did not resume until 2012. Rockville Public Library was to operate as a town library for 1 year and then revisit. In 1952, legislative action forced libraries to reorganize or become extinct. Petitions were filed with a levy of $.04 per every $100 of taxable property to expand service to county-wide. Local News Fort Wayne Newspapers adjusts staff, features ApKEVIN LEININGER: Electric Works loses city tax credits could lose or gain millions. During the early 1940’s, the WPA provided books and workers to man stations in each township of Parke County. In December of 2012, the library did return to county-wide service, following years of debate on the topic (Bemis, 2012). This addition nearly doubled the size of the library. Ramps for added accessibility and an elevator lift was also added (Parke County Sentinel, 1991). In 1991, in celebration of the library’s 75th anniversary, a 2,700 square feet addition was added to the back of the original Carnegie Library building. The groundbreaking was June 7th, 1915, and the Library was completed by the end of the year and dedicated January 14th, 1916 (Rockville Tribune, 1931). The donation from the Carnegie Corporation was initially $10,000 but raised to $12,500. After raising funds to secure the levy and the library board appointed, the site where the library sits today was purchased for $2500 in March of 1914, the old site of Boardman’s Livery Barn (Parke County Historical Society, 1989). After research, it was decided the best way to move forward was the Carnegie Plan with a clear title to the building site and a deed recorded, Carnegie Building Association would provide funds to build a library (Parke County Times, 1914). The Parke County Public Library, originally the Rockville Public Library, was an idea born the “The Current Literature Club” at a meeting in January of 1913.
