Sensory Friendly Storytime

Fort Ben Branch is hosting another Sensory Friendly Storytime on Thursday, November 19, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. It's part of the Indianapolis Public Library's inclusive, judgment-free programming for kids, and it's free to attend.

The session follows a familiar, gentle rhythm: songs, stories, and a craft lead into relaxed sensory playtime. The lights are kept low to make the room less overwhelming, and sensory items are available by request for children and adults alike. It's designed to be a low-pressure environment where kids can engage with books and each other at their own pace, without the usual noise and brightness that can make a public space feel like too much.

Knowing the venue helps put the session in context. Fort Ben Branch is a 22,000-square-foot library in a high-traffic neighborhood, with community meeting spaces, study rooms, and walk-up, bike-up, and drive-up material return points. Its rooftop solar photovoltaic system provides 80% of the building's electricity. The branch opened under a redevelopment plan after the land was decommissioned and passed from the U.S. military to the City of Indianapolis in the 1990s. It's also the first library branch in Indiana to become a Certified Autism Center™, an international accreditation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards.

If you're looking for a quiet morning with the kids, this is a good one to keep on your radar. It runs from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM on Thursday, November 19, at Fort Ben Branch, 9330 East 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46216. It's free of charge.