LAWRENCE —The Fort Ben Branch of The Indianapolis Public Library, located at 9330 East 56th St., will open to the public on Saturday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. The 22,000-square-foot branch is projected to welcome 180,000–200,000 patron visits annually, filling a service gap between the Lawrence Branch on the northeast side and the Warren Branch on the far east side.
A grand opening celebration will kick off at 10 a.m. with speeches and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The celebration will continue until 4:30 p.m. with cake, refreshments, live music from Bruce Valance and the Top Groove Alliance band, face painting with Cinamon the Clown, live animal meet and greets with Silly Safaris, a poetry reading by the Poet’s Laureate group with Arts for Lawrence, and a performance by Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos. Early attendees will enjoy an outdoor performance by Circle City Sidewalk Stompers at 9:30 a.m.
The Fort Ben Branch is located in an area being developed by the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority. The Library was envisioned as part of a redevelopment plan since the land was decommissioned and transitioned from the U.S. military to the City of Indianapolis in the 1990s. Sponsored by the Indy Autism Project and Easterseals Crossroads, The Fort Ben Branch is the first library branch in the state of Indiana on the path to receiving international accreditation for autism through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
The $14.3 million project was funded by bonds approved by the Indianapolis City-County Council and assessed without any increase in IndyPL’s current debt service tax rate.
Patrons who visit the Fort Ben Branch can view an in-branch exhibit on the history of Fort Harrison. The exhibit provides an educational overview of the history of Fort Harrison and displays the American flag that was flown on the last day of service. The exhibit will also include never-before-seen images of life on base. The Library was envisioned as part of a redevelopment plan since the land was decommissioned and transitioned from the U.S. military to the City of Indianapolis in the 1990s.
