The Indianapolis Public Library - College Avenue

About College Avenue Branch Library

The Broadway Branch Library was first established on June 1, 1924 in a frame house at 615 E. 42nd Street. The "library in a house" had limited shelf space for books and furniture. In spite of these limitations, 10,000 people used the library regularly and borrowed more than 100,000 books each year.

The small library continued to fill its collection and increase in popularity and a new 6,500 square-foot building opened on October 1958 at 4186 Broadway Street. The Broadway Branch celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 1, 1974, and served patrons from October 1958 to August 2000.

On August 17, 2000, the $2.674 million dollar College Avenue Branch opened, replacing the aging and overcrowded Broadway Branch. The new 16,000 square-foot facility houses 62,000 items and offers plenty of off-street parking, an enlarged meeting room, and improved access for patrons with physical disabilities.