An important milestone in the history of the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood will be celebrated when the new Martindale-Brightwood Branch of The Indianapolis Public Library opens its doors to the public on Saturday, June 20 at 10 a.m.
The 15,000-square-foot branch at 2434 N. Sherman Drive replaces the former storefront facility the Library had rented across the street in the Brightwood Shopping Center since 1972. The new branch features expanded spaces for children and teens, new study and community meeting areas, enhanced technology, and designs for greater energy and resource conservation.
Not only does its location afford safe and walkable access for children and adults as well as to public transportation, but its impressive visual presence will allow the Library to serve as an anchor to stimulate neighborhood development.
“We are at the midst of a great renaissance here in Martindale-Brightwood, and the new library is a part of the social and economic changes that will increase access to lifelong learning and mental recreation for neighbors of all ages,” said Amina Pierson of the Martindale-Brightwood Community Development Corporation.
As a major partner in the Brightwood Education Zone, the branch will join Martin University to provide comprehensive educational support and services to mothers and children through grade 5.
“We can’t ask for anything more important to happen to us, and we thank the Library staff who worked long and hard to help this community achieve this goal,” said Amy Harwell, President of the OneVoice citizens group. Driven by community sentiment, Library trustees officially changed the branch’s name from the former Brightwood Branch to the Martindale-Brightwood Branch to more appropriately reflect the heritage of the community it serves.
“After a long process, we are thrilled to provide the level of service that the residents of the Martindale-Brightwood area deserve,” said Martindale-Brightwood Branch Manager Nikki Johnson.
Branch operating hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., with curbside delivery of materials to patrons available each of those days from 12 noon – 5 p.m. Due to COVID-19, for the foreseeable future the branch will observe strict patron capacity limits and institute various measures to ensure patron safety.
The project’s architect was AXIS Architecture + Interiors, and the associate architect was Meticulous Design + Architecture. Construction contractor was Boyle Construction Management
The $5.9 million construction project was part of a series of capital improvements identified in the Library’s strategic plan funded from individual bonds approved by the Indianapolis City-County Council with no increase in the Library’s debt service tax rate.
