The establishment of a public library in Kentland was long a dream of many of the earliest residents of the community. A serious effort to create the library got underway in 1909. In that year Warren T. McCray carried out correspondence with the Andrew Carnegie Foundation which subsequently led to the community's receiving a $10,000 grant from the Foundation for the building's construction. The Kentland Women's Club undertook the collection of books through donations, and a temporary library was established in the Knights of Pythias Lodge rooms. This temporary library was later moved to the basement of the Courthouse. In 1910, the first board of library trustees was appointed. The lots for the permanent library were donated by Mrs. Eliza McCray. Upon receipt of the Carnegie Grant, local builder Fred Friedline received the contract to build the two-story brick structure. The Kentland Public Library was formally opened at 2:00 p.m., January 26,1912 with a collection of 1,500 books.
The librarians of the Kentland Public Library have been Delia Kirkpatrick, Lucille McCray, Eunette Buck, Virginia Rinard, Frances Schuh, Kay Ford and Roberta Dewing.
In 1968, the second floor was converted to the Sarah (Sadie) Johnson Children's Library. The programs and facilities of the Kentland Public Library were benefited by a bequest from Neal Tanquary.
The library's book stock presently exceeds 22,000 volumes. In addition to the school and summer reading programs of the Children's Library, the library's services include the lending of books, records, video and audio tapes, art prints, a microfilmed collection of Kentland newspapers, a local history section, and a collection of the works of playwright and author George Ade, who was a Kentland native. The library benefits from an active Friends of the Library organization which regularly hosts book reviews, and cultural and entertainment programs.
The Diamond Jubilee of the Kentland Public Library was observed on Sunday, April 26, 1987 with an open house and a lecture by author humorist and educator Dr. Tom Mullen of Earlham College, who is a Kentland native.
