The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Allen County Public Library for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the 2024 fiscal year. This marks the 33rd consecutive year that the library has achieved this prestigious recognition.  The report was reviewed by an impartial panel of judges. According to Michele Mark Levine, Director of t

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is excited to announce the release of five new themed memory kits designed to support individuals living with memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, or other cognitive challenges — and to help their families, friends, and caregivers engage in meaningful activities together. All five kits will be available for patrons to check out immediately.  Memory kits are carefully curated collections of books, music, photos, puzzles, activity prompts, an

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is making it easier than ever for patrons to get help with a new Live Chat Reference service, now available on the library’s website. The free service connects users in real time with a network of trained librarians across the country who can answer questions, assist with accounts, and help patrons make the most of ACPL’s wide range of resources—without the need to call or visit in person.   Live Chat Reference offers extended hours of a

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is reporting significant progress in the second year of its 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, highlighting expanded literacy initiatives, increased access to technology, and strengthened community partnerships. As part of its commitment to celebrating reading and learning, ACPL expanded StoryScape early learning spaces to additional branch locations and led the successful “One County, One Book” community-wide reading initiative. The library also

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) has finalized the purchase of property to support the construction of a new, expanded Shawnee Branch. The property, 5610 Noll Avenue, is directly adjacent to the existing branch. The purchase was finalized on February 13, 2026.   Once construction begins, the current Shawnee branch building will be removed and replaced with a new, modern 17,000-square-foot library designed to better serve the needs of the surrounding community. The new f

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of WELT Community Radio (95.7 FM), a one-of-a-kind station that has spent the past decade informing, connecting, and amplifying voices across Fort Wayne and Allen County.  Launched in 2016, WELT is the only low-power FM radio station licensed to a public library. The station was created as an accessible platform for local music, culture, civic dialogue, and community storytelling and was given the name

This Valentine’s Day, the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is encouraging readers to take a chance on something new with a creative and charming display at the Main Library: “Blind Date with a Book.”  The special display features a curated selection of books wrapped in paper, concealing the title and author. Instead of judging a book by its cover, patrons are invited to choose their next read based on a short teaser description hinting at the story inside. From heartfelt ro

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the opening of The Studio at Main, marking a year of creativity, exploration, and hands-on learning for the community. Since opening, Studio patrons have enjoyed more than 23,000 visitors, with free access to tools, technology, and experiences that empower patrons to learn new skills and bring ideas to life.    Located at the Main Library, The Studio at Main is open approximately 200 hours each

Young visitors to the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) will find even more to explore, imagine, and discover in StoryScape, as new toys have been added to refresh and enhance the popular early literacy play spaces. The updates replace well-loved and well-used toys, ensuring StoryScape continues to be a welcoming and engaging environment for children and families. The new items were made possible by a generous $5000 donation from the Friends of the Allen County Public Librar

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is celebrating Black History Month throughout February with a robust lineup of free programs for all ages, honoring Black history, culture, creativity, and community through art, hands-on learning, and shared experiences. “Black History Month is an opportunity to reflect, learn, and celebrate the profound impact Black individuals and communities have had—and continue to have—on our shared history,” said Beth Boatright, ACPL Director of P

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) announces the addition of a new Community Album collection celebrating the impact and history of Fort Wayne’s Spanish-language newspaper El Mexicano  and the community it serves. This digital collection highlights an essential voice in Allen County history and the legacy of Fernando Zapari, founder and publisher of El Mexicano .  The ACPL Community Album is an ongoing digital archiving and access project led by the Library’s Special Coll

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is inviting families across Allen County to help celebrate the 80th birthday of music legend and literacy champion Dolly Parton with a special community-wide coloring project and a call to support early childhood literacy.  This week, ACPL branches are offering free Dolly Parton–themed coloring pages for children and families to enjoy in the library or by downloading and printing at home. Completed coloring pages can be left at any ACPL

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is wrapping up 2025 by celebrating the stories, characters, and entertainment our community couldn’t get enough of this year. From wildly popular digital audiobooks and e-Books to page-turning novels, family favorites, and hit video games, ACPL’s most-checked-out items reflect a year full of reading, listening, watching, and playing.  Audiobooks and e-Books, continued to grow in popularity in 2025 led by Rebecca Yarros’ fantasy follow-up

As students across Allen County gear up for winter break, the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is rolling out a full slate of free activities designed to keep kids, teens, and families entertained while school is out. During Winter Break, families can explore a wide range of programs tailored to different age groups — from kindergarten through high school — ensuring that everyone can find something exciting to do during the holiday downtime.  ACPL’s Main Library and branche

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is inviting young patrons to make a meaningful difference this December through “Toys for Tails”, a hands-on crafting event where children create enrichment toys for animals currently staying at Humane Fort Wayne.  Designed especially for students in grades 4–6—these fun, purpose-driven workshops teach participants how simple handmade toys can help keep shelter pets comforted, stimulated, and ready for adoption. All completed toys will b

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is once again partnering with the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory to celebrate the release of a new children’s book by local author and illustrator Talitha Shipman.  The Conservatory has donated twenty copies of Shipman’s newest book  “Fern’s Fairylight Express” to the Library’s collection. Each copy will circulate with a complimentary family pass to the Conservatory’s new exhibit inspired by the book. The exhibit will run Nov

Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Allen County Public Library Foundation in support of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Allen County. The program provides children from birth to age five with free, high-quality, age-appropriate books mailed directly to their homes each month—helping foster early literacy, learning readiness, and a lifelong love of reading.  The grant will help sustain and expand access to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library fo

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is proud to announce that it has received a $35,000 grant from Google to fund upgrades to the immersive projection experience inside the Rolland Center for Lincoln Research located at the Main Library (900 Library Plaza). The investment comes as Google establishes its new data center in Fort Wayne, underscoring the company’s commitment to supporting innovation, education, and community engagement in Allen County.  “These enhancements wil

The Rolland Center for Lincoln Research at Allen County Public Library is pleased to announce the launch of a state-of-the-art interactive virtual tour, a new digital resource designed to expand access to its incomparable Lincoln Collection for educators and students, history enthusiasts and scholars, and interested others from around our community and  across the country and beyond. This tech offering allows users to explore the Center remotely, bridging the gap for those wh

Access Fort Wayne, the community media center operated by the Allen County Public Library, is celebrating Community Media Day (October 20), as well as its recent multiple wins at the 2025 Philo Festival of Media Arts awards. The annual Philo Awards, hosted by the Central States Alliance for Community Media. celebrate outstanding media production across public, educational, and governmental access television stations throughout the Midwest.  Access Fort Wayne earned top honors