EVPL Central Renovation Celebration to take place Friday

Downtown Evansville – EVPL Central’s renovation project has been completed, and the community is invited to see the updates and upgrades at the location’s Renovation Celebration on Friday, April 17 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm.

The open house event will feature activities throughout the building, including a scavenger hunt to encourage exploration of new and renovated spaces. The art exhibit, “What Do You Love?,” from The Arts at EVPL series, will be in the second floor Rotunda Room. The READ Center will host a special Storytime at 4:30, and will also feature a puppet theatre booth, crafts, and oversized games. The Teen Area will include activities for middle and high school students, and the Indiana Room will have items of local interest on display.

“In the 22 years since EVPL Central opened, the needs of library users and our community have evolved,” said Scott Kinney, CEO, EVPL. “Feedback from the development of EVPL’s Facilities Master Plan, EVPL’s Strategic Plan, combined with library usage data, helped plan a reimagined Central library.”

The renovation work began in November 2024 and has been completed in phases to help minimize disruption of services. Some of the key features of the renovation include the creation of several new spaces, such as four additional small group rooms, a passport office, Preservation Studio workspaces, and a dedicated Teen Area. Updated flooring, new furniture, energy-efficient lighting, and fresh paint were also part of the renovations.

“In 2025, EVPL Central welcomed more than 240,000 visitors, and hosted more than 450 programs,” said Sean Davis, Location Manager, EVPL Central. “People coming to EVPL Central have a variety of needs, whether it’s to access public computers, seek the expertise of library staff, use a meeting or study space, create in the Maker Studio, or to experience fun and learning by attending a program or checking out library materials. These renovations help us better meet and exceed their needs now and for the decades to come.”

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