Perry County Library Branches Expand Services, Strengthen Community Access

The Perry County Public Library system is operating its Tell City and Cannelton branches as active community centers, providing programming, technology and meeting space that residents can use through the year. These services include scheduled children’s programs that support early literacy during the winter months, public computing and Wi Fi that expand internet access in a rural area, and lending of devices and other items that reduce barriers to information and services.

The Tell City branch is located at 2328 Tell Street, Tell City, IN 47586, and can be reached at 812 547 2661. It offers Pre K Storytime on Fridays at 10 30 a.m., and Baby and Toddler Storytime on Wednesdays at 10 30 a.m. The branch provides genealogy resources, public computers and Wi Fi, meeting and study rooms, and a variety of Library of Things checkout items that let residents borrow tools, devices and other items they may not own.

The Cannelton branch is at 210 S. 8th Street, Cannelton, IN 47520, and can be reached at 812 547 6028. It offers meeting room space, public computer access and a similar set of community services designed to support local families, students and nonprofit organizations.

Beyond on site services, the Perry County system lists seasonal and recurring events such as storytimes, book clubs and children’s programs, and it operates outreach resources including hotspot lending and interlibrary loan through Evergreen Indiana. Hotspot lending and device checkout are particularly significant in a county where reliable home internet is less common, because they enable job searches, school work and access to health and government services.

For local nonprofits and community groups, the meeting and study rooms provide cost effective space for organizing, while genealogy offerings and book clubs contribute to civic engagement and cultural life. Economically, these services support early childhood development and workforce participation over the long term by improving literacy and digital skills. As libraries across the country evolve into technology and community hubs, Perry County’s branches illustrate how modest public investments in programming, broadband access and shared resources can yield practical benefits for residents and local institutions.