Floyd County Library Transforms House Into Digital Library
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA historic home in the community of Galena has gone high tech thanks to work by the Floyd County Library. The 1864-built Belle Schillings House, which once served as a post office, is now a digital library.
The house sits on U.S. Highway 50 and had been vacant for years when the owners, the Oakes family, donated the property to the Floyd County Commissioners in 2011, who only used a section of the 2 acre property for a recycling center. The Floyd County Library was looking to establish itself in the digital age about two years ago and leaders decided to transform the house.
The home is now rehabilitated and updated with technology like a 3-D printer, laser etcher, vinyl cutter, and other tools for patrons’ use. State Representative and Indiana Landmarks board member Ed Clere said “This project offers a great example of adaptive reuse of a historic building. It also shows how libraries can adapt to changing times, finding new ways to innovate and reach more members of our community.”
Clere joined several others at a groundbreaking for the facility in September.