A new Little Free Courthouse Library has been added to the jury assembly room on the second floor of the Hamilton County Judicial Center, giving courthouse visitors a new way to pass the time while waiting for court proceedings.

Court of Appeals Judge Paul Felix and Hamilton County Court Administrator Jill Acklin stocked the shelves on Friday, October 17, with books donated by the Indiana Court of Appeals. The donation is part of a statewide effort to place free book collections in courthouses across Indiana, providing reading materials for children, teens, and adults.

“By donating books, we hope to make the courthouse a little less scary, and a bit more inviting,” Judge Felix said. “If the books can mitigate a little bit of the anxiety surrounding a child’s or their parent’s attendance at the courthouse, this endeavor will be well worth it.”

Visitors are invited to read the books while waiting or take one home. Organizers hope the collection will continue to grow as others contribute additional titles.

“We welcome anyone to stop by our Little Free Courthouse Library,” Acklin said. “There is truly something for everyone on our shelves, and we look forward to seeing the collection continue to expand and serve anyone in the building.”