The Batesville Memorial Public Library was established as the ‘Batesville Public Library’ in 1933. A local citizen, Michael F. Bohland, donated around 200 books to enable the Parent Teachers’ Association to arrange several shelves in a local public grade school building. This first library was open to the public and operated by the PTA. 

After 5 years, the Library outgrew its space in the public grade school building and was moved to the Batesville Memorial Building. At this time, the Library was officially established under the Indiana State Public Library Law. Over the next several years, the Library continued to expand and moved to a larger space within the Memorial Building. By 1958, the Library Board realized that a new library facility would be needed in the future.

The Library & the Hillenbrands

The Hillenbrand family were strong supporters of the public library even before a dedicated library building was constructed. The Hillenbrand family and foundation supported the library regularly, with donations for books and materials. In support of the library’s request to the city for more space, or a building of its own, George Hillenbrand donated his home and $10,000 for its renovation to become a dedicated library building. Despite this generous gift, it was determined that the house was an unsuitable location for the library and it was voted not to accept the gift. 

Not to be deterred, the Hillenbrand family continued to support the library, and in 1966 the Hillenbrand Foundation committed to financing a new library. In June of 1971, the directors of the John A. Hillenbrand Foundation and the Library Board announced a plan for the new library. The library would sit on the site of John & Clara Hillenbrand’s home. It was then that the library changed its name to the Batesville Memorial Public Library and it was decided that the library would house the busts of John & Clara Hillenbrand, with a plaque dedicated to them, along with their personal library collection. In July of 1974, the people of Batesville finally received the new library.

Throughout the coming years, the Hillenbrand family and its foundation continued to support the library with donations for library materials. After 10 years in the new building, the Library began to experience growing pains and the need for more space became evident. In 1986, George and Margaret Hillenbrand gave a personal gift of more that $1.5 million for the construction of a 10,000 square foot addition to the library, which nearly doubled its original size. The expressed the reason for the gift as “they have long wished to provide a durable facility that would serve Batesville and surrounding communities” – they felt that the library addition was an appropriate expression of their appreciation and fondness for the citizens of Batesville. In 1988, the addition was completed and a plaque was placed in the addition, commemorating their gift. 

The generosity of the Hillenbrand family continues to this day, and library staff are committed to telling the story of this generosity. The personal collection, plaques, and busts still remain in the Library, along with a painting of George and Clara’s house and the stained glass window from their home.