The Allen County Public Library wants to hear from the people who know it best what the Hessen Cassel Library Branch should look like in the years ahead.
Allen County Public Library news release:
Hessen Cassel Library Neighbors Invited to Help Shape the Branch’s Next Chapter
Fort Wayne, Indiana (October 15, 2026) – What should the Hessen Cassel Branch look like in the years ahead? The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) wants to hear from the people who know it best. On Monday, October 26, the library will host two drop-in Listening Sessions as part of its ongoing Facilities Master Plan, giving residents a chance to see early ideas for the branch and weigh in on what matters most to them.
The Facilities Master Plan is a long-term effort to ensure ACPL’s buildings keep pace with how people use their libraries. For Hessen Cassel, that means exploring improvements that make the branch easier to access, refresh its community spaces, and prepare it to serve the neighborhood for years to come.
“A library should reflect the community around it, and that starts with listening,” said Susan P. Baier, ACPL Executive Director. “We’re eager to hear what residents love about their branch, what they’d change, and what they hope to see. Their input will directly shape the final design.”
Stop by either session to talk with members of the project team, including representatives from Group 4 Architecture and Luminaut. Visitors can look over design concepts, ask questions, and share their thoughts in an informal setting. No registration is needed, and attendees are welcome to come and go as their schedules allow.
Monday, October 26, 2026
- 12–2 p.m. at McMillen Park Community Center (3901 Abbott St., Fort Wayne)
- 4–5:30 p.m. at the Hessen Cassel Branch (3030 E. Paulding Rd., Fort Wayne)
Can’t make it on the 26th? Engagement Boards will be on display at the Hessen Cassel Branch through November 16 and can be visited any time the library is open. Patrons can stop by on their own schedule to review the concepts and leave comments.
To learn more about the Facilities Master Plan, visit acpl.info/youracpl.
About the Allen County Public Library
The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) has fostered lifelong learning and discovery in northeast Indiana for more than 135 years. The ACPL consists of fourteen branches throughout Allen County, serving more than one million visitors per year. The ACPL’s collection includes more than 3.9 million items, with a circulation total of 4.6 million items borrowed annually. It also houses The Genealogy Center, the nation’s largest public genealogy research center, and The Rolland Center for Lincoln Research, consisting of more than 30,000 artifacts related to President Abraham Lincoln.
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