The La Porte County Public Library is renovating and improving the Main Library building located at 904 Indiana Ave. This is the beginning of the construction phase of our system-wide building project that includes all library locations throughout the county. The renovations include improvement or replacement of the HVAC, lighting, and electrical systems.
Other work will improve the general accessibility of the building in regard to current federal and state ADA guidelines. These renovations will ensure the library is better equipped to serve the community for years to come. At the completion of the building project all library locations will offer
Additional community meeting and gathering spaces Enhanced technology and Wi-Fi connectivity Improved service and access to information and spaces.
The remodeling project at the Main Library is extensive and will involve the entire building. Keeping the staff and public safe is a top priority, and safety would be compromised if the library remained open during renovation. The building will need to be closed for approximately 8-9 months beginning on May 13, 2016 through February of 2017. The last day of operations at 904 Indiana Avenue will be May 12, 2016.
Library services will be available to our customers at a temporary location at 1020 Lincolnway beginning June 1, 2016. At that location the library will offer a browsing collection of new and popular books, magazines, newspapers and DVDs. There will also be public internet computers, Wi-Fi access, copier, fax, and notary services available. Customers can also request materials from any library location to be picked up at the temporary location.
Meeting and study rooms will not be available at the Main location for the duration of the project. Our Union Mills branch, located just 10 miles south, 3727 West 800 South, Union Mills has a meeting room that can accommodate up to 30 people. You can book that room on our website laportelibrary.org or by calling 767-2604. As we complete construction projects, you can look for meeting rooms to open at Coolspring, Fish Lake, Hanna and Rolling Prairie. Consider having your meeting at your local place of worship or the VFW. For a low cost, you can rent a conference room at Open Door Coworking or rent a classroom, library or gym from La Porte Community School Corporation.
The Library will continue to offer classes, events and activities. These will be held at alternate locations. The annual Summer Learning Adventure Pack- a-Sacks will be held at 11:00am on the front lawn of the La Porte Civic Auditorium at 1001 Ridge Street beginning June 6. Thursday and Friday storytimes will take place at 10:00am in the community room at the Carriage House Apartments at 1700 Andrew Avenue in June and July. Our Page Turners Book Club will meet in the Ladies Parlor at the United Methodist Church at 1225 Michigan Avenue. Details on all of our summer classes and events can be found at laportelibrary.org.
The community will be notified on social media and on the library's website when the renovated branches are reopening. We plan to have reopening celebrations at each of the library locations as the work is completed.
If you have additional questions, please call the library at 219-362-6156 or go to the library’s website www.laportelibrary.org and check the construction FAQs under the library info tab.