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LIB-10 MIXED · THE EXAMINERS' REPORT AND THE TOWN'S OWN TELLING
The present library exists because a Walkerton family gave the land and offered the building — the state's own examiners recorded the gift while it was still a plan. The State Board of Accounts' examination report for 2005–2006 states it flatly: "The Walkerton-Lincoln Township Public Library was given land in 2005 for the construction of a new building by a family from the Town of Walkerton. The Library has been advised by this family that they would like to construct a new library building for the Town at a cost of $2.5 million and would work with the Library on design and specifications. They are currently working with an architect… for which they hope construction will begin in the spring of 2009." The library's part was to raise the money for furnishings, technology, and books. The family is named in the town's later record: Council President Gene Reese, profiled in 2026, identifies "one tremendously generous family in the town of Walkerton, which is the Hiler family," responsible for helping build the new library, the community center, the pickleball courts, and park improvements — the Hiler Industries family, whose philanthropy the wealth leg's addendum carries at full strength. The building stands at 406 Adams Street and houses the library today. What the record reached does not fix is the opening itself: no dedication date for the new building was found in the sources online, and the date stands as the residue, with the Independent-News' building coverage and the library board's minutes named as its settlers.
Principal sources: State Board of Accounts, Examination Report, WLTPL, January 1, 2005–December 31, 2006 (the gift, quoted); profile of Gene Reese, redresssouthbend.com, April 30, 2026 (the Hiler family named); Indiana State Library Directory 2026 (present seat).