Indianapolis Public Library’s New Glendale Branch to Open March 30, 2024

The long-anticipated Glendale Branch of The Indianapolis Public Library is set to open to the public on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 10 a.m.

The 24,800 square-foot Branch, located at the site of the former John Strange Elementary School at 3660 E. 62nd St., is projected to welcome 225,000 – 250,000 patron visits annually. A grand opening celebration will kick off at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and live entertainment for all ages. Entertainment will include live music from The Embers, a local band from the Glendale neighborhood, Paws to Read dog visits, Silly Safaris Animal Meet and Greets, and Cinamon the Clown.

In preparation for the new Branch location, The Indianapolis Public Library will close the current Glendale Branch, located at 6101 North Keystone Avenue, on February 25, 2024. Beginning February 12, the Glendale Branch book drop will not be open and patrons should return items to alternate locations. The Glendale Branch hold pickup location will be the Lawrence Branch, located at 7898 Hague Road.

"I am delighted to offer a heartfelt greeting to the community as we introduce this extraordinary new facility,” said Jena Mattix, Glendale’s branch manager. “It’s been a long time coming. After spending more than two decades in the Glendale Shopping Center, we are enthusiastic about the Branch having its own independent building. This move will enhance accessibility to our services and collections while eliminating the necessity of property leasing."

"At The Indianapolis Public Library, we want all of our Branch locations to meet the unique needs of each community we are privileged to be a part of,” said Gregory Hill, CEO of The Indianapolis Public Library. “The move into this new space signals the next chapter of service to the vibrant Glendale community. We look forward to meeting and exceeding the needs of Glendale patrons for many years to come at our new home.”

The Broad Ripple community has enjoyed Library service at various sites since 1930. The first stand-alone Library opened in 1949 adjacent to School No. 80 and continued at that location until a larger branch opened in Broad Ripple Park in 1986. Facing a need for continued growth, the current Glendale Branch was constructed in 2000 and became the country’s first full-service Library in a major shopping mall.

The new stand-alone Branch will have drive-up material returns, increased access to computers and new technologies, access to public transportation, and a community meeting room with a capacity of 100 people. The branch will have a larger teen space and a braille collection.

Powers & Sons Construction Co. is managing the construction and krM Architecture+ is the architect for the project.

The $15.3 Million project is funded by bonds approved by the Indianapolis City-Council Council that will be assessed without any increase in IndyPL’s current debt service tax rate.