The St. Joe County Public Library is embarking on a ten-year Facilities Master Plan, called Our Next Chapter, that will revitalize the library’s nine branches. Through the master plan, the Library will strategically plan for the renovation and renewal of the library’s branch facilities located throughout our community.
In preparation for the opening of the Main Library and the Community Learning Center in 2021, the St. Joe County Public Library invested considerable time and resources into listening and planning for the needs of the community. The same type of approach will be implemented in this process. The Library will meet with community leaders and listen to the needs of those living in the neighborhoods served.
The ten-year branch revitalization project will be an opportunity to assess the branches and begin to implement revitalizations. After a competitive bidding process, the Library considered five architectural firms and chose MKM Architects to create a Facilities Master Plan to guide planning, renovations and improvements over the next 10–20 years.
Over the next six months, the Library will design a vision for our branches in collaboration with the architects. The plan will allow the Library to respond appropriately to changes or shifts in community demographics, technology development, emerging library services, aging facilities and other future needs.
Project updates will be posted to the Our Next Chapter webpage.
Gathering Public Feedback
Throughout the design process, the Library will gather public input and work with local leaders to ensure that we have the best branches for our community. You can participate by attending a public meeting or completing a survey. Take the quick five-minute survey to provide input on what you would like to see at your neighborhood branch.
Public Meetings
The Library is hosting three public meetings to gather insight from the community about their neighborhood branches. Please plan to attend a meeting, so we can design better branches for our neighborhoods.
Tuesday, October 10 (West side)
5:30 – 7:00 p.m., Charles Martin Youth Center
802 Lincoln Way W, South Bend, IN 46616
Tuesday, October 10 (South side)
6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Southeast Neighborhood Center
405 E Dubail Ave, South Bend, IN 46613
Wednesday, October 11 (East side)
6:00 – 7:30 p.m., The Well
2410 E Mishawaka Ave, South Bend, IN 46615
