Libraries Before MPL

Although Carnegie Library was the first library building constructed in Delaware County, Muncie has had some form of library or reading room since 1853. That year, a law was passed establishing a county library in the courthouse. One of the county officers acted as librarian and maintained it. In February 1865, Muncie was incorporated as a city, and the state passed a new law to establish township libraries throughout Indiana. Delaware County’s library was enlarged and an entire room in the courthouse was dedicated to serve as the county library. Custodianship of the collection transferred to the township trustees, and a dedicated librarian managed the collection. Also, at this time, a new township library serving Muncie was established in the home of the librarian, Wilson R. Smith. Smith was elected county sheriff, and the books were moved to the sheriff’s residence at the county jail and began circulating from there. 

By 1868, interest in the county and township libraries had waned. The Muncie postmaster, Henry C. Marsh began renting a collection of books from out of the post office and requested to place the books from the county and township libraries into his collection. He received permission to do so and began loaning them for free.