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The ACPL Story

Since its founding in 1895, the Allen County Public Library has enriched our community through lifelong learning and discovery. Over the decades the library has grown to consist of the Main Library in downtown Fort Wayne and thirteen branches in the city and outlying communities.

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The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library is the largest public family research center in the United States. Visitors from across the country and around the world rely on the Genealogy Center for its international collection of physical and digital resources including free access to databases and knowledgeable staff.

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ACPL has also joined with the Friends of the Lincoln Collection to build the Rolland Center for Lincoln Research which showcases the Library’s immense collection of lectures, photos, and other original documents related to our nation’s 16th president.

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Each year, the library is visited by millions of patrons and circulates an average of more than 2.5 million physical items. More than 52% of Allen County residents are active library card holders.

Everyone has a story and we want to hear YOURS!

Did the Library help you find a job or start a business? 

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How has the Library made you feel more connected to your community? 

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What Library books, resources, programs, or services are essential to you? 

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How has the Library brought your family closer together? 

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What do you value most about the Library? 

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Why did you decide to get a library card? 

 

Stories submitted in languages other than English are welcomed and encouraged. 

Tell us how our library has impacted you. 

Not sure where to start? Consider these prompts: 

Ask a Librarian is an email reference service of the Allen County Public Library. You can either use the form or email us at ask@acpl.info

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If you need help with your family history research, please consult our Genealogy Center. Use the address genealogy@acpl.info to email the Genealogy Center directly or call us at (260) 421-1225.

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For questions about your library card account, renewals, and holds, please contact our Circulation Services staff at circulationask@acpl.lib.in.us or call (260) 421-1240 during library hours.

Confidentiality 

Library patron records are confidential. This includes any information you provide to us by email, including your email address. By Indiana law and library board policy, all records relating to library patrons and their use of library materials and services are strictly confidential.

Response Time

You may email us at any time and we will respond as soon as possible. If you need immediate assistance, we suggest you phone us at

(260) 421-1200. 

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We are committed to replying to all Ask a Librarian questions within 48 hours. If you do not receive a response within 48 hours, this may be due to one of the following:

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  • You may use a spam blocker on your email account. Please unblock (or ask your service provider to unblock) @acpl.info and @acpl.lib.in.us and resubmit your question.

  • The library uses a spam blocker which may under specific conditions prevent us from receiving your email.

  • Response times may occasionally exceed 48 hours due to holiday or emergency closings.

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