Haughville

History

The longest continuously-operating branch in the IndyPL system began on the city’s east side in 1896 but moved to the village of Haughville after 1897. The branch’s many homes included the former town hall on Germania Avenue in which a fire in 1904 partially destroyed the building. After the fire, a storefront in the Michigan Plaza Shopping Center was constructed that operated until 2003, when the current 12,000-square-foot library opened on West Michigan Street.

Certified Autism Center™

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

To earn this accreditation, Haughville 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. Haughville 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.