St. Joseph County Public Library

When the final bell rings, some schools don’t close; they transform. Larry Giantomas wiped away tears as he walked through Central High. It was spring of 1995, 25 years after the school’s final graduating Class of 1970 received their diplomas, and …

Raised in a house full of art and creativity, Beatrice Hartig Zimmerman was no stranger to seeing the beauty in everyday life. Her father, artist Arthur E. Hartig, instilled in her and her sister Genevieve an appreciation for artistic expression and creative …

In his time, Simon Pokagon inhabited two worlds. Speaking and writing in Anishinaabemowin and English, he wove together worlds of lived experience and cultural meaning through careful construction and nuanced interpretation. Words and language became the …

In 2025, St. Joe County Public Library launched Culturally Speaking, an author talk series that celebrates storytellers whose unique experiences shape the way we see the world. So far, we’ve been inspired by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason …

The St. Joe County Public Library invites families with young children to join Explore-a-Story, a joyful celebration of early literacy and the little things that fill our hearts with happiness. Inspired by My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith …

A stone obelisk reaches up into the sky in City Cemetery, a weathered marker of the last spot an elderly couple would share together in South Bend’s oldest final resting place. The cemetery was built on land donated by Lathrop Taylor in 1832, making it only …

We are in a unique moment when it comes to storytelling and information sharing. We have enough streaming services that if we paid for them all we’d be paying more than if we just got cable, artificial intelligence is recommending books for us to read …

After a significant renovation, Centre Branch will be reopening ahead of schedule on Tuesday, September 2nd. Complete with new study rooms, fresh paint & carpet, and a vibrant outdoor Story Garden.  The St. Joe County Public Library is thrilled to …

At Home on the Field Mary Baker packed up a suitcase, ready to head south from her home of Saskatchewan to step onto the diamond in South Bend. If Maury got word, he would insist she stay in Canada to mind the house, just like the last opportunity she had to …

If you’ve been to one of our storytimes, you’ve probably noticed something: we sing. A lot. Sometimes with scarves. Sometimes with bubbles. Sometimes with ukuleles and a surprisingly passionate rendition of “The Wheels on the Bus.” And while it …