Few things are as relaxing or as satisfying as curling up with a good book. Rainy days are best spent beside a window where one can see and feel the vibe of a stormy afternoon with a wonderful book to get lost in, but when it’s not raining, there’s somewhere else Hoosiers can go that’s just as pleasing. It’s the single most beautiful library in Indiana, and trust us: it is a sight to behold. It’s one of those gorgeous historic places in Indiana that you won’t be able to get enough of, whether or not you’re here for the books.

The Indianapolis Public Library, otherwise known as the Central Library, was built and opened in 1917.
Bohao Zao/Wikimedia
It remained as it was until 1975 when a 40,000-square-foot addition to the place was finished, and in the 1980s, a complete restoration of the historic buildings on the property was completed.
Today, it's a Hoosier monolith, standing tall and proud and welcoming all into its warm, cozy quarters.
Serge Melki/Flickr
The library's collections have steadily grown over the years with no obvious signs of slowing down; when it first opened, the library had 13,000 volumes and about 500 borrowers. By the end of the first year, the collection was up to more than 100,000 borrowed books by some 3,000 amazing patrons.
Well, that was then. This is now.
You Are Here Photography/Google Local
Now the library boasts several incredible collections with hundreds of thousands, if not more, books, volumes, and other culturally significant items. In 2017, Central Library opened up the Center for Black Literature & Culture, which houses about 10,000 books, DVDs, magazines, and other media created by black authors, artists, historians, and everyone else you could hope for.

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In 2019, the Chris Gonzales Collection opened, featuring 7,000 items related to the LGBTQ experience, history, and culture.
Warren Chin/Google Local
This library is so much more than just a beautiful building. It's a triumph of humanity; it is as valuable to us as a society as it is visually pleasing, and we cannot get enough of this amazing place.
We're pretty sure you'll never find a cooler place to go for free, that's for sure.
Serge Melki/Flickr
You could truly spend hours browsing the shelves, flipping through books, and admiring the architecture around you.
The first time you visit might be a little intimidating; after all, it's not every day you open the doors to a place so full of magic that it couldn't be contained in the original building!
Kortney M/Google Local

For more photos and information about this incredibly beautiful library in Indiana, check out the official Central Library website. You never know what’s going on this week!

For more amazing, historic places in Indiana with killer architecture, check out these pieces of architectural brilliance in IN.

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Indianapolis Public Library - Central Library, 40 E St Clair St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA