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Want to know more about our construction? We will be updating periodically on our Facebook pages. Read below for more information and who to contact with questions. Check out our official press release with contacts and meet our construction and architect team!
For release: January 21, 2026 from The Roachdale-Franklin Township Public Library
The Roachdale-Franklin Township Public Library is proud to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for its first ever renovation. On Wednesday, January 21st, Board members, staff, and representatives from Universal Design Associates, Inc. – the architect and managing partner along with Mattcon General Contractors, Inc. the awarded contractor for the project, gathered to celebrate the occasion. The renovation, a one story lower level addition and a 2-story section incorporating an elevator and upper & lower level ADA restrooms is slated to begin on January 30th. This renovation will allow the Library and staff to better serve the community for many more generations.
The Roachdale Public Library has deep roots in the community, originating with the Philomath Club establishing a lending library in the early 1900s as a lending library, with a Library Board being formally established in 1912. The progressive group pursued an Andrew Carnegie Foundation Library grant and was awarded the initial building funds of ten thousand dollars. To fulfill the Carnegie grant requirements to staff and support the library, the town of Roachdale voted to tax itself for its share of the expense and a centrally located lot was purchased at the corner of Meridian and Washington Streets. The cornerstone of the building was laid on July 30, 1913 and dedicated January 8, 1914.
Over the last 112 years, the Library Board of Trustees remained current and progressive, offering patrons current technology with the advent of computers, the internet, e-books, and everything in between. By January of 1997, with the continued growth of the Library collection, daily traffic, and changing community needs, the Board of Trustees made the only large scale change the Carnegie Library Building had seen – they moved the Children’s collection downstairs and making downstairs the dedicated space for children’s programs and books. The Roachdale Public Library joined the Evergreen Consortia in 2009, which greatly expanded loan offerings with inter-library loan throughout Indiana.
For more than two decades, the Library Board had many discussions on ways to make the building more accessible to all: the possibility of a lift or elevator and to add a much needed restroom downstairs. After program expansions and community growth brought more patrons into the building, along with lifelong patrons facing mobility challenges, it was evident it was a necessity. In 2019, the Library Board and Director Jennifer Stranger began the process to learn how to usher the beloved Carnegie Library into the 21st century. The largest needs were determined to be an elevator, new ADA restrooms on both floors, and a way for the small staff to service adult, young adult, and children’s services on all one level. Moving daily circulation to one level would also provide much needed meeting spaces in the library with accessibility for all patrons.
It was important to all to find an architect that would respect the Carnegie Library design while providing the accessibility needed. After speaking with and interviewing a wide variety of architects, Universal Design Associates, Inc. (UDA) from Ferdinand, Indiana was chosen to carry out the vision. Library Board members pounded the pavement one year ago to obtain signatures from Franklin township property owners in support of the renovation – exceeding the required number and further emphasizing the community need for the proposed renovation. In the spring of 2025, the Library received approval from the Putnam County Council to move forward with the proposed renovation with a $1.62 million bond. The Roachdale Public Library project underwent the government bidding process in early September, with all projects coming in above the construction budget of $1.4 million. UDA quickly made some structural and design changes to lower the construction costs and issue a re-bid. Some needed improvements were listed as alternate bids, allowing the addition of these items as funds become available. On November 5th, with a historic bid opening from six companies, Mattcon placed their base bid of $1,397,000. By the year’s end, Mattcon was awarded the bid, the Indiana Bank Bond released the Roachdale Pubic Library and Roachdale-Franklin Township Library Leasing Corporation the funds to begin the historic renovation.
The Library Board and Director want to thank UDA, Ice Miller (Kristen McClellan and Sarah Correll), Ice Miller (Tyler Loeffelholz ), and local counsel Stacy Barclay (and staff at Sutherlin, Zeiner & Barclay, LLC) for leading us through this long process. Construction is set to begin with utility relocation on January 30th. The goal is for a grand re-opining at the Roachdale Rib and Blues Fest in late September. The Roachdale Public Library will remain open throughout the process, with minimal interruption to service. There will be a few days throughout the next 9 months that the library will be closed for construction needs for safety concerns. Patrons and social service agencies are encouraged to check the Library’s Facebook page (Roachdale Public Library) or website (www.roachdale.lib.in.us) as construction progresses for any closings. Director Jennifer Stranger will continue to seek grants, gifts, and funding for the completion of needed improvements including a new ADA accessible circulation desk, refinishing of the existing plaster upstairs, updating the carpeting and tile in the current children’s area, furnishings, cabinetry to replace the current craft closet, and other items were listed as alternate bids.
The Roachdale Public Library staff consists of one full time employee (the Director) and three adults who job-share the position of circulation clerk including one college student who works summers and breaks; and one part-time high school page. Along with daily library service, the staff also runs several literacy outreach programs – a reading incentive program at both Roachdale and Bainbridge Elementary as well as a monthly Story Time at a local preschool. Roachdale Public Library’s regular hours are: Monday 11am-6pm, Tuesday-Friday 11am-5pm, and Saturday 11am-3pm. Patrons and community members may view artist renderings of the addition as well as plans on site at the Roachdale Public Library. Questions may be e-mailed to the Director at roachdalepubliclibrary@gmail.com .
Meet the team:
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