EVPL Red Bank Location Closing for Demolition and Rebuild

If you’re a regular at EVPL Red Bank - or even if you just pop in for a book hold, a study session, or a little quiet time - you might want to make a visit soon. The branch will close its doors at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 12, as the building gets ready for demolition and a brand-new, much bigger library takes its place. And while “demolition” sounds dramatic, don’t worry - this is all part of EVPL’s long-term plan to better serve the west side.

Why EVPL Red Bank Is Closing

This upgrade is a major step in the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library’s Master Facilities Plan, launched in 2022. That plan found what many west-siders already knew: the community could use a larger, more modern library space. So, EVPL is moving forward with a totally reimagined Red Bank - one that’s built for the way we live, work, study, and play today.

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Here’s the exciting part: while the shiny new branch is under construction, a temporary location offering most EVPL services is expected to open nearby in early 2026. So you won’t have to go without your books, events, or Wi-Fi.

What the New Red Bank Library Will Include

Want to see what’s coming? You’re invited to an information session with MKM architecture + design and EVPL leaders on Thursday, December 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the current Red Bank location. They’ll share plans for the future building, which is shaping up to be impressive - about 20,000 square feet (up from the current 14,000), with more meeting and study rooms, dedicated space for programs, and shelving for nearly 80,000 items.

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The project is funded through a 2025 bond issuance approved by both the Library Board and Evansville City Council - without raising the library’s debt service tax rate.

Celebrating the Past Before Moving Forward

As the final month of operations gets underway, EVPL staff are planning special programs and moments to celebrate the memories made here over the years. Since opening in 1991 and renovating in 2006, Red Bank has welcomed hundreds of thousands of Evansville residents. Now it’s time to give it a warm sendoff - and look forward to an even brighter chapter ahead.