The Elkhart Public Library (EPL) is located in Elkhart, Indiana. The Library serves a population of 93,357. This includes the City of Elkhart and Osolo, Concord and Cleveland townships. EPL consists of four branch libraries and the Main Library, located in downtown Elkhart.
- 1903 Elkhart Public Carnegie Library opens (October 2nd)
- 1904 7,793 books
- 1910 17,435 books
- 1920 27,961 books
- 1922 Bookmobile service begins
- 1930 39,984 books
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Great Depression: The Bookmobile was sold for $75.00 and the Library budget cut by approximately $10,000.00.
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- 1936 Library interior remodeled
- 1940 50,236 books
- 1948 Bookmobile Services resumed
- 1950 70,385 books
- 1953 50th Anniversary of EPL
- 1963 New Elkhart Public Library opens (March 31st)
- 1970 Old Carnegie library torn down
- 1975 Pierre Moran Branch Library in Pierre Moran Mall
- 1975 Concord and Osolo townships become part of the Library service area
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- 1980 150,900 books
- 1982 Major renovations completed at the Main Library
- 1983 Cleveland township becomes part of the Library service area.
- 1985 Collection Shift
- 1987 Osolo Branch Library opens
- 1989 Pierre Moran Branch Library moves to its own building
- 1989 Mobile Library Branch began service
- 1990 190,690 books
- 1993 Dunlap Branch Library opens
- 1994 Portion of Society Bank is purchased for Main Library expansion project
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- 1995 Renovation of the annex begins
- 1996 Audio-visual Services moves into the annex
- 1996 Administration moves into the annex
- 1997 EPL web page goes online
- 1997 Public Internet access becomes available
- 1998 Internet classes are offered to EPL cardholders
- 1998 187,000 book collection shift
- 1999 Periodicals Room opens in the annex
- 2000 Two new bookmobiles were put into service
- 2001 Cleveland Branch Library opens
- 2001 Circulated over 1 million items this year
- 2002 353,666 books (all locations)
- 2002 110,109 non-book materials (all locations)
- 2003 54,793 registered library card holders
- 2003 380,747 books, 31,056 video, 23,886 audio
- 2003 1,127,219 items checked out
- 2003 100th Anniversary Celebrated
- 2004 48,482 registered library card holders
- 2004 386,194 books, 32,926 video, 23,272 audio
- 2004 1,120,253 items checked out
- 2005 56,242 registered library card holders
- 2005 406,726 books; 35,033 video; 25,146 audio
- 2005 1,103,850 items checked out
- 2006 60,675 registered library card holders
- 2006 408,693 books; 33,396 video; 24,051 audio
- 2006 1,063,460 items checked out
- 2006 New topics added to the computer classes offered at the library
- 2007 63,951 registered card holders
- 2007 407,751 books; 36,496 video; 26,038 audio
- 2007 1,014,535 items checked out
- 2007 Mobile computer lab allows classes to be taught at branch locations
- 2008 64,851 registered library card holders
- 2008 402,054 books; 31,631 video; 23,413 audio
- 2008 1,004,652 items checked out
- 2008 Computers set up at all locations to assist those needing to file for unemployment
- 2009 61, 365 registered library card holders
- 2009 385,249 books; 30,334 video/DVDs; 22,049 audio
- 2009 1, 022,709 items checked out
- 2010 Ruthmere Museum collection records display in our catalog
- 2010 Facebook and Twitter accounts created
- 2010 62,216 registered library card holders
- 2010 389,123 books; 28,077 video/DVDs; 22,439 audio
- 2010 972,804 items checked out
- 2011 Traditional Bookmobile service discontinued
- 2011 OverDrive, a service providing downloadable ebooks and audiobooks begins
- 2011 Mobile catalog goes online
- 2011 Main Library renovations begin
- 2011 Service hours changed due to budget shortfalls
- 2011 62,124 registered library card holders
- 2011 368,776 books; 25,047 video/DVDs; 21, 847 audio
- 2011 841,676 items checked out
- 2012 Systemwide organizational restructuring implemented
- 2012 Open House held to showcase Main Library renovations
- 2012 New website goes online
