Courthouse library project grows throughout Indiana

What started as a book club has now grown into a book community, with legal professionals, children and court visitors alike finding different things to read while they wait their turn in Indiana’s courtrooms.

They’re able to do it through the Indiana Court of Appeals’ Little Free Courthouse Libraries program.

“Not every (courthouse) has a library, so we want to make sure that people do have access everywhere in the state,” said Court of Appeals Judge Dana Kenworthy.

Over the past year, Indiana’s appellate court judges and other county stakeholders have donated books to fill the shelves of little libraries in courthouses throughout the state.

The newest library landed in Hamilton County in October. Now, courthouse guests can pass the time, and potentially ease their nerves, while they wait.

“To the extent we can brighten someone’s day and make parents’ jobs easier, those children are waiting there, we try to do that,” Kenworthy said.

Bringing books to courthouses

The idea for the libraries stemmed from a book club that Kenworthy and other appellate court judges are part of.

One of the books Kenworthy chose for the group was “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek,” which details the efforts of the historic Packhorse librarian sisters of Kentucky to improve literacy and bring the joy of reading to an impoverished community in eastern Kentucky.

The book’s author, Kim Michele Richardson, started her own work to bring free books to courthouses across her home state of Kentucky in 2023. The program, “Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky & Beyond,” has a goal to bring free libraries to each of the state’s 120 county courthouses, according to her website. In both her writing and service of the libraries is a love for her state and literacy.

“Kentucky has always had a rich and unique history of getting books into the hands of those who have none—providing literacy accessibility for all,” Richardson said in an email.

Inspired by the book, Kenworthy asked if Richardson would speak at their book club. Instead of paying a fee for her time, Richardson requested that the club donate books to the program.

“We made a delivery to Louisville, Kentucky, a court there, and then we decided: ‘Why not do the same thing here?’” Judge Kenworthy said.

Since Indiana’s program took off, appellate judges have brought libraries to over 30 Hoosier counties and counting, coordinating donations based on traveling oral arguments around the state.

On Oct. 17, Court of Appeals Judge Paul Felix brought three boxes of books to the government center while judges were in the area. Though the first load was donated by the court, anyone can bring in books.

“If you have books at home and you want to donate them, then just put them on the shelf and somebody else will use them,” said Jill Acklin, court administrator for the Hamilton County courts.

In the short time Hamilton County’s library has been active, Acklin said they’ve already seen interest from visitors.

The library sits on the third floor of the government center, and has books for adults, young adults, and children. From “The Pocket Encyclopedia of Aggravation” to “Peek-A-Boo Farm,” every visitor has something to choose from.

Lasting impact

The Little Free Courthouse Library project continues to grow across Indiana and is welcoming new ways to stock shelves. The Court of Appeals often has book drives among their staff to collect books and recently hosted a drive at the annual Antoinette Dakin Leach Award Luncheon, which recognizes female attorneys in Indiana.

Some courthouses have even made space for items other than books, like stuffed animals and Dollar Tree toys for kids.

Kenworthy and others also paid printing costs to donate copies of “All Rise: Stand-Up Women in Hoosier History,” the coloring book celebrating impactful Hoosier women, which was published by the Indianapolis Bar Association last year.

“We each go around and check out library book sales and garage sales and Goodwill and all kinds of places like that and just pick up books as we find them,” Kenworthy said.

Those involved with the project are hopeful that these libraries will make court visits easier for guests, who are often in courtrooms for negative reasons. And in a world of advanced technology constantly vying for our attention, they hope the books can also provide a reprieve from the hustle and bustle.

“When they come to court, I’m sure they’re nervous, or they’re anxious…and sometimes it’s nice to get a little break,” Acklin said.

Richardson is thrilled to see how communities have embraced the courthouse libraries, calling judges “literary soldiers” who are reaching underserved people with their work.

She’s hopeful that the little libraries will continue to grow, reaching more states and communities. To her, books are crucial in the lives of those overlooked.

“Books can empower the powerless and are powerful tools that can change lives and forge meaningful connections,” she said in an email.•