An Evansville library will soon be demolished to make way for a new one. WNIN’s John Gibson has details:
Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library officials say EVPL Red Bank will close its doors Friday, December 12th, ahead of the building’s demolition and construction of a new, larger library.
The reconstruction project is the next step of the EVPL’s Master Facilities Plan.
Red Bank Assistant Manager Kimberly Barber says the existing library doesn’t have space to grow:
"I am excited about the fact that we will be increasing in size so that we can expand our collection, and also increasing room for programming, meetings, study rooms and such."
West Sider Laura Eickhoff attended story time with her two youngest children on Thursday:
"It's going to be kind of sad to see it go 'cause this is where I went as a kid too, so. But I'm excited for...I'm sure they're going to have great new improvements."
While the new library is built, the EVPL says a temporary location with most library services is planned to open near the current site in early 2026.
Plans for the new building are being developed by MKM Architecture and Design.
Officials say it will measure about 20-thousand square feet -- an increase from the current 14-thousand square foot building -- and will feature multiple meeting and study rooms, dedicated programming spaces, and capacity for nearly 80-thousand items.
The project is funded by a bond issuance, which was approved by the Library Board and the Evansville City Council this year.
The EVPL says the bond issuance keeps the library's debt service tax rate neutral.
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