It is the largest public library in the state of Indiana, housing over 60,000 manuscripts.

Established in 1934, the library has gathered a large collection of books on a vast variety of topics.

Interior features include brass accents, fanciful murals, walnut-paneled walls, stained glass windows, and woodcarvings.

The external architectural sculpture was created by Leon Hermant and carved by Adolph Wolter.

[6][7] A 1993 inventory of the library's holdings included 60,000 books and pamphlets, 3,500 collected manuscripts, 1.5 million images, and 1,000 maps.