Jasper police seek tips after vandalism at public library

Jasper police are asking residents to help identify the person involved in vandalism at the Jasper Public Library after damage was reported around 12:18 a.m. Wednesday. The case matters because the library is more than a building full of books. It is a shared civic space used by children, students, families and older residents across Dubois County.

Investigators have not named a suspect and have not announced an arrest. They are working from the narrow time window around 12:18 a.m. Wednesday morning and want anyone with even a small piece of information to come forward. Police said tips can be made to the Jasper Police Department at 812-482-2255 or through the anonymous tip line at 812-482-2677.

The Jasper Public Library has long been part of the city’s public life. It first opened Dec. 18, 1934, in a room in the rear of the City Office. During National Book Week, Nov. 16-22, 1952, the library opened a new building at 1116 Main St. Today, the Jasper branch operates at 100 3rd Ave., Suite B, Jasper, with hours Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

City records list Chad Dick as chief of police, and the department says it has 26 full-time officers and a 24-hour Real-Time Intelligence and Communication Center. The library board also meets at the Jasper Public Library on the second Thursday of each month, underscoring the building’s role as a regular gathering place, not just a service counter. The Jasper-Dubois County Public Library system has four branches, so vandalism at the Jasper location touches a wider network of county residents who rely on the system for daily access and programming.