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Indiana State Library%u2014%u2014Indianapolis, IndianaErected in 1932, and continues to serve as Indiana%u2019s State library.On February 11, 1825, after Indiana%u2019s capital had moved from Corydon to Indianapolis, the Indiana State Library was established, with the Secretary of State as its Librarian. Over the years, the Library has been under the administration of various state agencies%u2014until 1933, when it was placed under the control of the Department of Education, where it has remained. Throughout these changes, its law library has been overseen by the Indiana Supreme Court.The State Library was originally to be of service only to state legislators and officials. While not a browsing library with open stacks, all Indiana citizens now have access to its collections. In fact, hundreds of books are borrowed annually by local libraries throughout the state for their patron%u2019s use. It also distributes a Braille library for the blind, and scored music, with pieces ranging from anthems to popular compositions.Over time, various supplementary purposes have been added, such as incorporating the library of the Indiana Academy of Science, and the storage of past public records. Other divisions are devoted to reference, lending, and Indiana history. Special collections of photographs, clippings, pamphlets, scientific periodicals, and written proceedings from several learned societies are also a part of the library.The exterior of the Indiana State Library building has a classic dignity derived from a combination of pleasing proportions and the use of simple Greek elements. From a great coved molding at the ground line, smoothly faced limestone walls rise to a complimentary cornice with confident straightforwardness and purity-of-line. The third floor exterior includes rectangular bas-relief carvings.Heavy oak doors, deeply recessed within bronze framing, both impress and welcome visitors to the Library%u2019s main entrance. Atop the entry, a carved stone owl holds an open book. Within the lobby, a broad marble stairway leads to the foyer on the main floor above. Looking upward from inside the foyer, one sees a group of five windows%u2014the focal point of the building. Every interior wall is veneered with Monte Cassina sandstone from St. Meinrad%u2019s quarries.Institutional and Private Libraries