ACPL celebrates 130th birthday with approval for master plan

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – At the January 28 Fort Wayne City Council meeting, the Councilmembers voted 6-0-3 in favor of Phase One of the Allen County Public Library’s (ACPL) Facilities Master Plan. ACPL representatives say it is the final stamp of approval on the plan for significant enhancements to library facilities and infrastructure throughout the county.

The following was released on Wednesday:

The plan will be funded by tax bonds which the ACPL will pay back over the next 20 years. On November 13, 2024, the Allen County Council voted 5-2 in support of the Phase One tax bond of 37 million dollars to be combined with more than 20 million dollars from the ACPL’s reserve funds. Under Indiana law, because the majority of Allen County taxpayers live within Fort Wayne city limits, the Fort Wayne City Council needed to approve the expenditure of the tax bonds. Now that this approval has been finalized, the ACPL is eager to move forward with implementing the plan.

“We are so excited to get to work on these critical improvements not only for the patrons of today, but also the patrons of tomorrow,” said ACPL Executive Director Susan P. Baier. “A strong library is critical to Allen County’s economic development, social engagement, and educational attainment. The City Council’s vote demonstrates their confidence in our efforts and trust in our fiscal responsibility.”

According to “Beyond Books: Allen County’s Public Library History 1895-1995” by Dawne Slater-Putt, 130 years ago on the evening of January 28, 2025 Fort Wayne’s City Hall was similarly “aglow with light…as citizens attended a public meeting and reception celebrating the establishment – at long last – of a public library in their city.” Circulation at the first Allen County library location began the next morning and has grown over the past 130 years to the extensive ACPL system of today.

Baier expressed gratitude for the council and community’s support: “It is fitting that on the exact anniversary of our founding, across the parking lot from the original City Hall, our leaders once came together to invest in our libraries as places to learn, gather, and connect. I want to thank both the County and City Councils for their engagement, thorough questions, and ultimate support of a project that will benefit the entire community!”

Phase One of the Facilities Master Plan including projects at the following locations:

The vote followed a brief presentation from Baier and ACPL Chief Financial Officer David Sedestrom that highlighted the research, community feedback, and years of planning that contributed to the proposal. The estimated tax impact is $0.0165 per $100 of assessed home value. As an example, a homeowner with an assessed value of $150,000 could anticipate an increase of $10.94 annually. The bonds will also be subject to the existing tax caps.

The ACPL encourages residents to stay engaged with the ongoing development of the Facilities Master Plan. Updates will be provided through the library’s website at www.youracpl.org and social media channels.