In order to better serve Carmel's growing community, the Carmel Clay Public Library is expanding and renovating the Main Library. While this two-year construction project is underway, Main Library service has been relocated to the Merchants' Square shopping center at 2140 E. 116th Street.

Since the Main Library building opened its doors in 1999, the library's service population has doubled. In 2019, annual library checkouts reached nearly 2.2 million, and over 600,000 people visited library locations.

Features that patrons will enjoy when the project is complete include: 

- Greater program capacity, including a dividable 400-person room and additional rooms for programs & events
- New parking garage and covered bridge to library
- Digital Media Lab within the library instead of in offsite leased space
- Greatly expanded area for teens
- Outdoor space for the public to enjoy and for library events

The Main Library project is the result of nearly three years of planning. Design and construction are taking place in partnership with RATIO Architects (Architect), Skillman Corporation (Construction Manager), and the Veridus Group (Owner's Representative).

Main Library Project Goals:

- Increase capacity for events and programs
- Increase parking to accommodate larger events and a growing facility
- Increase the Young Adult space to create more engagement opportunities and expand services for teens
- Improve and update the Youth Services Department
- Increase seating and meeting space for study and tutoring
- Improve access to new and existing technologies
- Shape outdoor spaces for additional program opportunities
- Extend the architectural presence of the Arts & Design District
- Be environmentally responsible and reduce building energy use