South Whitley Community Public Library

10/24/2026

A Moment in Time (from the local history files at SWCPL): South Whitley and Cleveland Township have been fortunate to have a group of dedicated men (and now women) who support our community in good and bad times. Local firefighters drop everything to answer the call of a neighbor in need. But more than fire and emergency runs, the local firefighters have been there to direct traffic at ballgames, give Santa a ride into town, watch the skies for approaching bad weather or provide extra help whenever and wherever needed. They also bring the community together with such events as ice cream socials, pancake breakfast and bingo. October is Fire Prevention Month and we thank those people who served and protected our community through the years.

The top photo is from 1989 and the second photo is from 1962.

10/22/2026

It's Harvest Festival Time! Bring your kids and join us at the library at 5 p.m. for games, crafts, face painting and fun. Then at 6 p.m. head to the auditorium for a movie featuring a prince who will spend his life as a beast unless he can get a beauty to return his love. Kids and adults are welcome to dress in costume. All events are free and open to the public.

10/22/2026

We're here for you!

10/21/2026

The October meeting of the Fun-Tastical Fiction Book Club is Thursday, Oct. 22, at 5:45 p.m. The group will be discussing The Correspondent by Virginia Evans as part of the We Read Together event. Join the group for the conversation and the fun.

10/19/2026

Join us in the auditorium on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. for a showing of the South Whitley movie. In the 1940s, local American Legions worked with a group of filmmakers to showcase towns across America. South Whitley was one of those towns captured on film.

10/17/2026

A Moment in Time (from the local history files at SWCPL): Oscar Gandy didn’t appear to live in South Whitley. Census records through the years show him living mostly in the Churubusco area. However, he did have a big impact on South Whitley.

Born in 1847 in West Virginia, Oscar Gandy came to Indiana as a young boy. In 1894, he was an established real estate developer and banker in Whitley County. One of his projects was the construction and operation of the O. Gandy Grain Co. He built a grain elevator on the north side of the railroad tracks between Calhoun and State streets, in an area that is now green space. In 1898, he opened Gandy Bank, which was located on the south side of Mulberry Street, where the green space is next to the current Crossroads Bank.

In both of these endeavors, Gandy at some point worked in partnership with South Whitley residents Moses and Louis Mayer. In 1920, the Mayers bought out all of Gandy’s interests in the grain company and changed the name from O. Gandy & Company to Mayer Grain Company. The company also owned and operated five grain elevators in Bippus, Arcola, Mentone and Denver with South Whitley being the general office.

In 1955, the Mayer Grain Elevator caught fire. Three grain elevators, including the original one built in 1898 by Gandy, and three other buildings were destroyed. After the fire, the Mayers sold all of their grain elevators.

Gandy resided in Churubusco where he operated another bank and also a lumber company. He died in 1925, but left a legacy of starting businesses that had a long-lasting impact on the community.

10/14/2026

This month we've been reading The Correspondent by Virginia Evans as part of the We Read Together program with Peabody and Churubusco libraries. Join us Thursday at 5:30 p.m. for a program that reflects upon the art of letter writing and then write a letter to the person of your choice. We'll provide the stationery, envelope and stamps along with some light refreshments. Make a memory for a loved one by dropping them a line.

Send a message to learn more

10/14/2026

Sometimes, even the director gets tagged with "Other Duties as Assigned"! Cody bravely took over story time Tuesday when other staff were busy. As a father of two, he is not unused to reading stories to children, but the number of little ones was a little daunting. We say, Way to go, boss!

10/10/2026

A Moment in Time (from the local history files at SWCPL): Take a look back at these Whitko athletes from the 1990s. These photos are part of a collection donated to the library. Take a walk down memory lane and relive all the fun, excitement, highs and lows of being a Whitko Wildcat.

10/09/2026

Congratulations to Elizabeth Massie who was the People's Choice award winner from the Fall Festival Art Show. Entitled "A Mind of Petals" the work had three-dimensional aspects added to a painting. Thanks to all who participated and voted.