INDIANAPOLIS — The public can help shape plans for the first major expansion in the storied history of the East Washington Branch of The Indianapolis Public Library during a series of public meetings beginning on Thursday, July 9 from 4:30 – 6 p.m. at the library branch located at 2822 E. Washington St.
Opening in 1910, the East Washington Branch is one of two remaining Indianapolis public libraries constructed from funds provided by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The other is the Spades Park Branch at 1801 Nowland Ave. The 5,600-square-foot East Washington Branch will undergo a 2,200-square-foot expansion and renovation to provide an accessible entrance, elevator and restrooms; a new computer lab; improved public meeting room space; and increased access to the collection. The last renovation of the East Washington Branch interior occurred in 1978, which involved reconfiguring interior stairways, updating the heating and air conditioning systems, adding new lighting, and remodeling bathrooms. The current project will incorporate energy and water conservation practices and maintain the historic integrity of this Carnegie library.
The $2.4 million project is the first in a series of new capital projects undertaken as part of the Library’s Strategic Plan through 2020. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2016, with estimated completion in November 2016. The project architect is Mohler Architects of Lafayette.
The public meetings, which continue on Thursday, August 6 and Thursday, September 3 from 4:30 – 6 p.m., will allow individuals to share their views with the architect and Library officials on what the historic library can become in providing services to the community. In addition to the Library’s parking lot, overflow parking is available in the adjacent Englewood Church lot.
For more information on this and other IndyPL capital projects, visit www.indypl.org.
