Gary Public Library

Mission:

The mission of the Gary Public Library is to fulfill the informational needs of our citizens with comprehensive resources of various formats and to provide services and programs to promote the well being of our community.

About Us:

From its beginnings in 1908, the Gary Public Library emerged as a combined social and educational agency - pressed upon to keep up with an expanding city and organize itself as an institution to fulfill these needs. Gary, Indiana, founded in 1906, was an industrial-based land of opportunity that attracted thousands of European immigrants as well as people from throughout the country.

Historically, the Gary Public Library started township service in 1913, establishing itself in the forefront of public libraries. This service extended library services to seven rural townships in Lake County that did not have library service - Hobart, Calumet, St. John, Hanover, North, Ross and Westchester (Porter County). Township service lasted through 1958 when the townships separated from the Gary Public Library.

Throughout the years, the library has remained a vital institution within the community through its service, materials and programs. 

As of October 1, 2016, the Gary library system continues to provide service throughout the city of Gary through its Du Bois Library and two branches - Kennedy Branch and Woodson Branch. It is one of seven independent library systems in Lake County, Indiana.