CARMEL — Carmel has found a use for the former Marsh Store at Merchants Square on East 116th Street.
Starting October 1, the building will be temporary home to the main Carmel Clay Public Library. That's because the current Main Library at 55 4th Avenue SE is closing so it can be expanded. The project is expected to take two years.
The Main Library, which opened in 1999, will close after September 5. Between then and October 1, movers will take the library's collection to the temporary home.
During this closure, library patrons can continue to place holds on items through the online catalog and pick them up using the curbside holds pickup service at the Joyce Winner West Branch in the Village of WestClay.
The library's digital collection of titles to download and stream remains open. Patrons will be able to reach library staff by phone (317-814-3900) and online (carmelclaylibrary.org/ask-a-librarian [carmelclaylibrary.org]) during the move.
As the the library expansion, it appears to be needed. Carmel's population has doubled over the 21-years the building has been open. Last year, 2.2 million items were checked out.
When the project is done, new features will include:
- New parking garage and covered bridge to library
- Digital Media Lab within the library instead of in offsite leased space
- Greatly expanded area for teens
- Outdoor space for the public to enjoy and for library events
