A phased renovation project will take place at EVPL North Park, beginning in July 2024 and lasting into early 2025.
The project is being done in two phases which should cover approximately 3 months each. During Phase One, the north half of the library (housing Adult and YA Fiction and Nonfiction) will be inaccessible to the staff and public as contractors work. During Phase Two, the south half of the library (housing Children’s Fiction and Nonfiction) will be inaccessible to the staff and public.
This project is a phased project so that EVPL North Park can stay open for as much of the renovation period as possible though there may be temporary closures as needed throughout the project timeline. If and when there are necessary closures, we will update this page, the EVPL North Park page, the EVPL app, the EVPL Facebook page, and will have signage on and throughout the building.
This webpage will be kept up to date with changes and announcements.
JUMP TO: Project Overview | Phase One | Phase Two | North Park Library History
Project Overview
EVPL North Park opened in 2005. In the nearly 20 years since the library was designed, the needs of library users have evolved. Feedback from the development of EVPL’s Facilities Master Plan and EVPL’s Strategic Plan, combined with library usage data, have helped us plan a reimagined library to serve the north side of Evansville. The project was funded as part of a non-controlled project General Obligation Bond approved by the EVPL Board of Trustees and Evansville City Council in 2023.
This renovation project will include:
- A changed floor plan with two entrances
- A new centrally located Circulation Desk
- New Small Group Meeting Rooms
- Sensory Room
- A new Family Restroom
- Updated flooring
- New furniture
- The library will be repainted (however, the beloved mural in the Children’s Tower will remain)
Phase One • June – September 2024
Here’s what to expect in the coming weeks:
- Friday, June 21: Adult and YA sections of the library (the north side of the library) will be closed to the public as we box and store those collections. Please note that new Adult and YA books and materials will continue to be available throughout renovations.
- July 4 – July 9: EVPL North Park will be closed as EVPL staff and contractors prepare for renovation work.
- Wednesday, July 10: EVPL North Park will open and only the south half of the building will be able to be used by the public. The north half of the building will have contractors working on that side. There will be temporary walls in place and directional signage upon entering the building.
What you need to know:
- Regular Adult and Young Adult collections, as well as all CDs, will be in storage during this phase. You may place holds to pick up at EVPL North Park to receive materials from our seven other EVPL locations. Also, our Digital Collection is available 24/7.
- All Children’s materials, all DVDs, and all new materials will be available for browsing and checkout.
- There will be one service desk where the current Children’s Area desk is located.
- Study rooms and the meeting room will be unavailable.
- There will be limited programming during this phase.
- All materials will be returned at a drop box outside the entrance.
Phase Two • October – December 2024
Information about Phase Two will be shared as the project progresses.
North Park Library History
Opened on April 5, 2005, the 20,000-square-foot facility was designed to resemble a National Park lodge and sits on top of the hill across from Central High School on Evansville’s north side. In the last nearly 20 years, thousands of library users have enjoyed programs, materials, and expert help from EVPL staff. EVPL North Park is home to two reading towers with the children’s reading tower encouraging our youngest library visitors to discover and play amid a wildlife mural painted by Posey County artist Judith Powers.
Before opening at its current location, North Park Branch was located down the road, off First Ave. Opened on December 9, 1968, as Meadow Park Branch, the 11,070 square foot building had a capacity of 41,000 books, magazines, records, and pamphlets. One of the features of the new library was a sound system that allowed library users to listen to music and other recordings from record, tape, or radio. Meadow Park Branch became North Park Branch in June 1986.
