Tri-Area Library is an all-volunteer library and does not receive tax funding. All expenses are funded by memberships, donations, and fundraising projects such as the Home Tour.

The library serves portions of Boone, Hendricks, and Montgomery Counties and provides invaluable reference and entertainment resources.

History
It was founded January 24, 1981 in a one room space on W. Main Street donated by Bob Phelps.

In the summer of 1984, the library purchased a building at 33 S. Walnut Street. The building originally housed the medical practice of Dr. Alvin D. Schaaf and later Darrell Knox Realty.

April 1995 was a joyous occasion. The community raised sufficient funds to qualify the library for a matching challenge grant through the Community Foundation of Boone County (in cooperation with Lilly Endowment). The grant allowed the library to pay off their mortgage, start an endowment fund and free annual income to expand services. In August of 1997, the State Bank of Lizton generously donated their bank facility at 2 W. Main Street. Proceeds from the sale of the Walnut Street Building were used to extensively remodel the building, enabling the library facilities to be returned to Main Street.