Pike

History

The second county branch in the library system opened in 1967 as the Westlane Branch in the Westlane Shopping Center on North Michigan Road. In 1974, the library purchased 2.76 acres on Zionsville Road from MSD Pike Township for construction of the current 13,000-square-foot Pike Branch that opened in 1986. Its design was cited by the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The branch was remodeled and expanded to 20,000 square feet in 1999. A 2025 renovation included:

• Renovated entrance
• Updated restrooms
• Group study rooms
• Comfort room adjacent to the Children's Area
• Podcast recording studio
• Dedicated teens area
• Increased access to outlets for device charging
• Updated mechanical and lighting systems
• The Branch will be seeking LEEDv4 Silver Certification for energy and resource conservation.

Certified Autism Center™

The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) has designated the Pike Branch as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC).

To earn this accreditation, Pike staff completed autism and sensory training to equip them with the skills and knowledge to best welcome and assist autistic and sensory-sensitive Library visitors and their families. Pike staff will also receive onsite reviews conducted by IBCCES to create sensory guides and provide additional recommendations for accessibility.

“When Fort Ben Branch became Indiana’s first Certified Autism Center™ in June 2025, we saw firsthand how impactful this training could be to our visitors,” said Gregory A. Hill, Sr., CEO, The Indianapolis Public Library. “That success sparked a strategic goal within our organization, inspiring staff at additional branches to deepen their understanding and expand their service. The response from our community has been deeply affirming. I’m grateful to our staff for their ongoing commitment to the training that helps us be a destination for autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals and their families.”