MAIN LIBRARY

This tri-level facility is the system’s central unit from which all operations originate. The public reading and study area is located on the main floor along with the system’s most complete selection of materials for information services: microfilm, periodicals, government documents, newspapers, as well as fiction, nonfiction and reference volumes. The Film Department offers a variety of videocassettes and DVDs.  An art gallery, auditorium and conference room are available to patrons.  

The library’s Administrative Offices are located at the Main Library as are the following departments: Children’s Services, Extension Services, Reference Services, Indiana Room, Circulation Services, Technical Services, and Public Relations.  A separate building for Facilities Services is also on the premises.

For a brief history of the Gary Public Library click here.                    

 BRUNSWICK BRANCH 

4030 W. 5^th Avenue
Phone: (219) 944-9402   Fax: (219) 944-9644

Hours:
Monday-Thursday  noon-8   Friday & Saturday 10am-5pm 

            Since 1959, this branch has been located in a variety of rented spaces. Through the diligence of the Brunswick Community Organization and the Gary Public Library Board of Trustees, the Brunswick community’s first permanent library building opened in August 2003.

            The 5,000 square foot building houses twelve public computers, a meeting room and children’s area, as well as video and DVD service. 

 For a brief history of the Brunswick Branch click here.

W.E.B  DUBOIS BRANCH

Opened in 1979, the W.E.B Du Bois Branch graces the northeast corner of 19^th Avenue and Broadway, in the city’s midtown business district. Community sentiment and pride is apparent in this structure that took 12 years from concept to reality.

The two-story facility boasts a large reading room with skylights, story-pit and fireplace for children, and an art gallery overlooking the main floor. A spacious auditorium, with kitchen facilities, accommodates a wide range of community functions. “Dunes - A Sculptural Environment” by artist Carol Paul, was commissioned by the Friends of the Library and is located in the stairwell.

For a brief history of the Du Bois Branch click here.      

J.F. KENNEDY BRANCH

Located in the city’s Glen Park area, the limestone edifice contains the original structure that has been expanded to provide a large reading room for adults and a smaller size version, complete with fireplace, on the opposite side for the children.  There is a small auditorium and a pleasant courtyard that holds a marble sculpture commissioned by the Friends of the Library and created by artist Ann Bannard of Winnetka.

For a brief history of the Kennedy Branch click here.

TOLLESTON BRANCH     

The Tolleston Branch, located just off of 11^th Avenue in the city’s Tolleston community. Located in its 1927 structure the interior has been remodeled after a fire in the mid-1970s.

Many of the building’s original library furniture and fittings are still there including the built-in paneled benches and bookshelves along the walls. Also original are the radiators built into the bookshelves, protected by decorative grillwork.   

Designed by Gary architect, Joseph Wildermuth, Tolleston is in a Romanesque Revival style, complete with arched windows, decorative brick details and parapet roof. 

For a brief history of the Tolleston Branch click here.

ORA L. WILDERMUTH BRANCH

Brief History
The Miller area of Gary displays the dunes and a small business thoroughfare to Lake Michigan on which the Wildermuth Branch is located.  The branch is named in honor of GPL's first librarian and president of the library board for 35 years.

The present 13,378 square foot building opened in February 1991.  A large fish tank greets visitors as you enter. The building houses a spacious meeting room, storytelling area and children’s area. 

For a brief history of the Wildermuth Branch click here.