After a 15-month renovation guided by input from Pike Township residents, the Pike branch of the Indianapolis Public Library reopened March 29.
The library branch, which is next to Pike High School and its Freshman Center, closed in December 2023 to install new amenities that were selected by residents in a series of meetings and surveys. The project cost $2,275,000.
What resulted was a library that specifically caters to the needs and interests of teens.
Now, in addition to thousands of books and DVDs available for checkout, the library includes features such as a dedicated teen area with Xbox and Nintendo gaming consoles, group study rooms, a podcast recording studio, an aquarium and increased access to outlets for charging devices.
“Prior to the renovation, the library wasn’t really tailored to (teens’) interests and what they were into, but we figured, since we’re getting so many of them, we might as well try to come up with a way to actually appeal to them and give them something that is for them,” said Michael Jenkins, the Pike branch manager.
The library also has new accessibility amenities, including an updated restroom with an adult changing station and comfort rooms for nursing patrons or patrons with sensory issues.
If you go
The Pike branch is at 6525 Zionsville Road. The hours are:
- 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
- Closed Sunday
For more information, check out the branch’s website or call 317-275-4480.
Mirror Indy reporter Enrique Saenz covers west Indianapolis. Contact him at 317-983-4203 or enrique.saenz@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on Bluesky at @enriquesaenz.bsky.social.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
