The Crown Point Community Library offers a variety of services to the community free of charge through its Crown Point and Winfield branches. As one of the last hubs of activity available for the community with no expectation of spending money, the Crown Point Community Library works hard to make sure everything it has to offer is accessible and engaging.
The Crown Point Community Library has a large collection of books available for cardholders to check out. These can include everything from childhood classics to brand-new bestsellers and can be physical, digital, or audio. The entire catalog can be accessed conveniently from the library’s website.
“Like most libraries, you can browse our catalog online, place your holds remotely, and then pick up your materials,” Library Director Julie Wendorf said. “You can walk in and just check out the materials that you placed on hold.”
The library is also able to offer a larger selection of digital materials as a member of the Indiana Digital Library, a consortium of libraries throughout the state that share materials for the benefit of all. Additionally, the Crown Point Community Library has access to a number of databases that can help make everything from genealogy research to car repair a breeze.
“A vast amount of our databases are nestled within the INSPIRE database, which is provided by the Indiana State Library,” Wendorf said. “Education is something the Crown Point Community Library places a large emphasis on, partnering with the Crown Point Community School Corporation to ensure that students can access library resources, like Tumblebooks, while in school without having to manage a library card.”
Education is something the Crown Point Community Library places a large emphasis on, partnering with the Crown Point Community School Corporation to ensure that students can access library resources while in school without having to manage a library card.
“Typically, if you're outside of a library building, you have to use your library card and pin to access digital materials,” Wendorf said. “The Friends of the Crown Point Library assists the Library in purchasing the database licence for all the Crown Point schools to actually become, in essence, a branch of the library so that they have no issues to access within the schools. It makes everything barrier-free.”
Beyond eliminating barriers for students, the Crown Point Community Library works to make sure everyone in the community has easy access to information. To this end, the library has computers with high-speed internet connections available for public use. This helps everyone from jobseekers to those just looking to check their email get connected quickly in a setting where tech support is just a conversation away.
One of the library’s most unsung services, however, is giving people in the community a place to safely gather and interact. This can be especially important for individuals like new mothers or seniors who often have limited time and money.
The library’s interactive play area opened in 2020 and gives children a place to safely play while offering parents a space to socialize. The play area, supported by the Crown Point Lions Club, features rotating sets of toys, so there’s always something new for children to enjoy.
Why is play at the library so important? Wendorf explained the connection of play and school readiness, "Play is an integral component of building early literacy and encouraging collaborative play."
The library also offers a host of fun activities throughout the month – including storytimes, movie viewings, and sensory activities – that encourage children to learn, explore, and make friends. The high quality programming and other offerings found at the library has certainly led to an increase in foot traffic.
Wendorf shared, "The circulation of children's materials alone increased to over 237k items and visits to the library in 2024 increased by over 27k."
The library’s programming also supports another vulnerable group in the community: seniors.
“All the programming that we have for adults helps to combat the senior loneliness epidemic,” Wendorf said. “We have book clubs that meet monthly, mahjong games that meet weekly – so many clubs that become part of the regular rhythm for our seniors and build a sense of community and connection with other people. All of the clubs are free as well.”
With National Library Week coming to an end and summer quickly approaching, the staff at the Crown Point Community Library is gearing up for an exciting summer season. Summer reading logs are being prepared with selected prizes, movies are being chosen for screening in Bulldog Park, and a whole suite of other engaging activities are being planned, so what are you waiting for? Head to the library today to take advantage of all of the free fun happening in your community!
“The services that the library provides, whether it be through materials, programming, or entertainment, are very valuable,” Wendorf said. “The return on investment that libraries provide for the tax dollars that they receive is enormous. This is one of the last places that doesn’t require you to purchase anything to benefit from our services. Providing that kind of community hub is vastly important.”
Support your local library by advocating for its continued, stable funding to your legislators. Learn more from Wendorf about the best ways to support the library here.
To learn more about the Crown Point Public Library and to begin using its services, visit crownpointlibrary.org.