Franklin Road

History

Following years of volunteer-staffed service in an empty church building, a permanent library serving Franklin Township, the Wanamaker Branch, opened in 1969 on Southeastern Avenue. To meet the needs of a rapidly growing township, the branch was replaced in 2000 by the current 18,000-square-foot Franklin Road Branch.

Certified Autism Center™

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

To earn this accreditation, Franklin Road 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. Franklin Road 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

The Franklin Road Branch 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.