INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees has given preliminary approval to the closing of the Fountain Square Branch in May 2020, as part of the Library’s long-range plan announced in 2015 to relocate services to the new West Perry Branch, scheduled to open in mid-2021. The recommendation by the Library’s Facilities Committee on February 11 is expected to be approved by the full Library Board when it meets on February 24.
The closing of the Fountain Square Branch, located at 1066 Virginia Ave. in a 5,145-square-foot space the Library has leased since 1994, will be accompanied by the August move of the non-profit Indy Reads into the same location that will bring together its adult literacy and bookstore operations. Currently, Indy Reads leases space at Central Library, and with escalating costs of rent at its bookstore location on Massachusetts Avenue, timing is perfect to combine operations to one new location.
The May closing will allow the Library to save more than $60,000 in lease payments by vacating before its current lease expires. Branch staff will be dispersed to other IndyPL locations until their move to the new West Perry Branch. With the presence of Indy Reads, the Library will be leaving behind the closest thing possible to a Library branch.
Indy Reads will address several remodeling goals to make the Fountain Square space suitable for its operations. These include new areas for offices and public events, as well as a remodeling to replicate the current Indy Reads feel of community and inclusiveness while fitting the aesthetics of its new home in the Fountain Square neighborhood.
The transition has received support from the Southeast Neighborhood Development, Inc. (SEND), which serves the Fountain Square neighborhood and owns the property.
Citizens will have access to other nearby branches that include East Washington, Garfield Park, Spades Park and Central Library.
