History
1896
Eagle Township Establishes Township Library
On May 21, 1896, an article in the Lebanon Pioneer reported Joseph B. Pitzer left Eagle Township $600 in his will. According to the article, this was turned over to the Township Trustee to establish the township Library.
1962
The Library Receives Lora Hussey Endowment Gift
In 1962, the Zionsville Library received an endowment gift from the Lora Hussey estate. The Library became a private Library, funded exclusively by donations and estate income. Hussey’s bequest included the property at 255 W. Hawthorne Street. This location was converted into a public Library facility where it operated from 1962-1994.
1988
The Board Converts the Library from Private to Public
In 1988, after much discussion and consideration, the Library board of the Hussey Memorial Library voted to convert to a public Library.
1990
Board Votes to Rename the Library
In 1990, the Library board voted to change the name of the Library to the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library. This change included the name of Mary Mayfield, who had been a long time member of the Friends of the Library. At this time, there were 4,044 registered card holders who checked out 47,478 items.
1994
Location Opens at 250 N. Fifth St.
Olive Hoffman, a cousin of Lora Hussey, passed in 1993. At the time of her death, she bequeathed her estate to the Library. On January 31, 1994, the new Library facility at 250 North Fifth Street opened to the public with a collection of over 25,000 items.
2006
The Library Completes Expansion
The Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library completed an expansion in 2006 to accommodate the growing community and use of the collection and facility.
today
The Library Looks to the Future
By the end of 2010 there were nearly 500,000 items checked out to over 17,000 cardholders. At that time, the collection included over 135,000 items. The Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library is proud to serve the community and we look forward to continued growth and service!