Decatur

History

Decatur was the first township outside of Center Township to receive a branch library when the Marwood Branch opened in 1967 in a storefront location. Strong library usage throughout the township demonstrated the need for a new 11,300-square-foot branch that opened on Kentucky Avenue in 1990 as the Decatur Branch and continues to serve the community today.

Certified Autism Center™

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

To earn this accreditation, Decatur 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. Decatur 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.”

Dementia Aware Organization

This location's staff completed Dementia Aware Organization Training to learn the basics of dementia and how to create an environment that supports those living with dementia and their care partners as individuals.