The Indianapolis Public Library evolves with purpose, to meet the needs of a diverse population that looks to us for community and connection. We are a space where all are welcome, accepted, and appreciated. We celebrate being an equal opportunity employer because diverse backgrounds, ideas, and viewpoints make our organization stronger—and our community thrive.
The Library endeavors to create a balanced collection that embraces and promotes diversity and inclusion. The collection serves to preserve, promote, highlight and give voice to individuals and groups with varying backgrounds, experiences, styles, perceptions, values and beliefs.
Quick Reads Collection
The Quick Reads Collection is made up of a variety of short books and stories written in an eaccessible style for adults. The books are intended to be a good instruction to new authors, generes, and reading in general, and are designed to encourage adult dho don’t read often to enjoy books. They can also be really helpful to people who are learning English. Learn more and browse our Quick Reads Collection.
Racial Equity Collection
Are you interested in learning about antiracism, racial equity, and social justice? Books can help us with our own self-reflection and can also give us an effective way to begin having crucial conversations with our families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. The Racial Equity Collection makes it easier than ever for Library patrons to access antiracism and social justice resources.The Library's collection includes thousands of materials including books, e-books, audiobooks, DVDs, and Blu-rays. The materials span a wide range of genres, with titles suited for children, teens, and adults.
One of the many challenges facing American institutions today is the need to acknowledge and examine histories that have resulted in the exclusion of Black, Latina/o/x, Native and Indigenous people, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and other groups with intersectional identities. We recognize the past and share this history. We must work to undo the systems that have influenced library service models and impeded equitable service to underrepresented members of our community. We work every day to establish trust with both staff and patrons. We want to be of service to you and know there is much more to be accomplished.
Fort Ben Branch - Certified Autism Center™
The Fort Ben Branch is the first library branch in the state of Indiana to become a Certified Autism Center™ by receiving an international autism accreditation through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). Fort Ben Branch staff are trained to better understand what autism is (and isn’t), how to empathize and understand how autistic and sensory sensitive individuals experience the world, communicate more effectively, and be aware of common sensitivities. Additionally, patrons at the Fort Ben Branch are able to see sensory guides upon entering the branch, have access to a quiet and low sensory Comfort Room, and are able to borrow a Sensory Kit for the duration of their visit. The Sensory kit contains noise dampening headphones (child or adult sizes are available), and assorted fidgets and soothers. Patrons may ask to use a kit at the “Ask Here” desk.
Accessible Workstations
In partnership with Easterseals Crossroads, accessible workstations have been installed in all of our locations to ensure all patrons have access to assistive technology. To learn more about these workstations, visit The Roadmap to Accessible Workstations by Easterseals Crossroads. The article includes photos of the equipment and more detailed information about the project.
Comfort Rooms
IndyPL has incorporated individual rooms as lactation spaces as a standard into its construction design plans since 2019. Since 2022, we have referred to these spaces as Comfort Rooms, as they can also be used to provide physical and emotional comfort to our patrons. This name change came from our new Fort Ben branch and their designation as a Certified Autism Center. Each new or renovated building is designed with at least one room with this designation.
Free Menstrual Products
IndyPL has recently installed dispensers for free menstrual products in all our women-designated public restrooms and the gender-neutral staff restroom. There has been additional demand for these dispensers in the gender-neutral public restrooms, which we plan on installing before the end of 2024. These dispensers offer a no-touch option, using motion sensors to dispense either 1 tampon or 1 pad with a wave of your hand. The tampons and pads are purchased by the Library and restocked as necessary by our janitorial vendor, the same as paper towels and toilet paper.
The Library recognizes the value of diverse suppliers in driving innovation, creativity, and project results. We are committed to supporting and encouraging economic growth and business opportunities in Marion County by strengthening the Library's relationships with small business enterprises, and minority-owned, women-owned, disability-owned, and veteran-owned (XBE) business enterprises in the procurement of goods and supplies, professional services, and in the construction and renovation of facilities.
Learn moreIn 2021, The Indianapolis Public Library officially eliminated late fines! Additionally, we waived unpaid late fines for over 87,000 Library accounts. The IndyPL Board of Trustees approved the discontinuation of charging late fines to ensure that The Library would not add any financial hardship for patrons.
Learn moreThe Library’s Strategic Plan, initially scheduled to span three years and conclude by the end of 2023, has been extended by one year through calendar year 2024 due to administrative changes. The Board of Trustees approved this extension on August 28, 2023. The new Strategic Plan is slated for approval by the end of 2024.
Learn moreIn 2021, Ice Miller’s special Racial Equity Solutions team led a comprehensive internal climate review of The Indianapolis Public Library. Even though all recommendations in the 2021 report were satisfactorily completed by yearend 2022, CEO Gregory Hill stated, “The CIP recommendations were not meant to be one-and-done in 2021, or even now in 2024. My goal is that all that we have learned—and all the progress we’ve made now—needs to be infused into all our work. There is always room for improvement.” The Executive Leadership Team decided to revisit that important study and see what progress we have made since the original 2021 findings. See the Climate Improvement Progress Survey results (.pdf).