In 1855 two libraries existed in Rensselaer, a Township Library and the Mechanics and Laboring Men’s Library. Later these two merged into one library. The early library was housed in various rooms of the courthouse until 1904 when a Carnegie grant was obtained
September 4, 1905 in Rensselaer, IN The Carnegie Library building served as the headquarters of the library system from 1905 until 1992 when the present 17,000 square foot building was constructed.
In the 1960's, a bookmobile began servicing the Wheatfield and DeMotte areas through a contractual agreement with the Rensselaer Library. In 1972, bookmobile service ended, but contractual service with Rensselaer continued.
From the Kankakee Valley Post - August 11, 1966, Volume XXXVI, by Gerald Kenning
"Through the efforts of the DeMotte Business and Professional Women's Club, local contractors and the Jasper County Library, a branch library wil be opened in DeMotte Monday.
The DeMotte Branch Library, housed in the Kankakee Valley Post building since it opened in the fall of 1966, will move to their new location in downtown DeMotte sometimes this month.
In 1982, the Jasper County Library Board decieded the 900 square foot schoolhouse was no longer adequate to serve the needs of the community. In 1986, a new facility opened with 6,200 square feet of space.
In 1992, a new 17,000 square foot building opened its doors in Rensselaer. The one-level structure is fully accessible and designed for future expansion and technological advances.
In 2005, having outgrown the 1986 building, we moved into a newly constructed 14,900 square foot building on Bierma Street, within sight of State Road 10.
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