e-Books
We have thousands of e-books (including e-comics) for kids, teens, and adults to check out instantly with a Library card.
We partner with several e-book platforms including OverDrive and Hoopla. Each platform is unique and has its own website or app. You can also check out most (but not all) e-books directly from the Library catalog.
Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch, and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.
e-Books from OverDrive
OverDrive has e-books, e-comics, and graphic novels for adults, teens, and kids. You can read on OverDrive's Libby app, or in a browser. You can borrow up to 20 titles using your Library card. If you have never borrowed from Libby before, Libby directions and a Libby video tutorial are available, as well as OverDrive Support.
Skip the Wait!
Hold lines for e-books can get very long for new and popular titles, but there are actually thousands of e-books available with no hold line. Lucky Day e-Books are popular titles that are immediately available! All Lucky Day titles have a seven day loan period and cannot be renewed. You may borrow only one Lucky Day title at a time. If you are lucky enough to get a Lucky Day copy, please remember to cancel the hold you might have on the regular copy!
When you search for titles in OverDrive you can narrow down your results so you only see items you can check out immediately. In the Libby app choose the "Available now" option under "Refine." On the OverDrive website choose "Available now" from the list of filters on the left side of the screen.
e-Books from Hoopla
Hoopla has e-books for all ages. You can borrow 10 Items each month using your Library card. If you have never borrowed from Hoopla before Hoopla directions are available as well as a Hoopla video tutorial.
Skip the Wait!
You don't have to put Hoopla titles on hold, you are allowed to borrow whatever titles you want, up to 10 per month. However, if you've already read your 10 monthly borrows, Hoopla frequently, but not always, offers Bonus Borrows. Bonus Borrows don’t count against your monthly borrowing limit - look for them on Hoopla.
e-Book for Kids
LOTE4Kids
LOTE4Kids is a digital collection of picture books (e-books and e-audiobooks) in over 70 world languages with an English version available for all books. The collection is for ages 3-8.
Tumblebooks
The TumbleBook Library is for readers Pre-K through grade 6. It has no loan limits and no waiting! Watch this video tutorial to learn everything you need to know to borrow from the Tumblebook Library.
ABCMouse (Inside Our Locations Only)
ABCmouse is an online learning platform for children ages 2-8 that offers e-books as well as educational activities, games, and videos. ABCmouse has a library with over 450 traditional and original stories. Learn more about the books in the ABCmouse library.
Access to ABCmouse is available inside our locations only. Look for ABCmouse on all our public computers. You can also open ABCmouse on your own device while you are in one of our locations. ABCmouse will also work in the Library on iPads, Android tablets, and many smartphones with the ABCmouse app.
Reading Recommendations
Personalized Reading Recommendations
Whether you are in a reading frenzy or a reading slump, you might just need a short list of title suggestions to support your reading habit or to get inspired. Hoosier Next Read is a personalized book recommendation service from The Indianapolis Public Library. Share your reading preferences, and our Library staff will send you a custom list of 2–5 titles within 7 business days so you’ll always have your next great read ready.
Recommendations from Our Staff
Are you looking for your next great read? We can help! Visit us in person, explore reading recommendations online, join an in-person or online book discussion, get recommendations on Facebook, tune in to our televised book club segments, and more. Our What We're Reading staff recommendation pages are updated monthly.
Finding What to Listen to Next in OverDrive and Hoopla
OverDrive and Hoopla routinely feature e-books of interest on their home pages and in their apps. What is featured often coincides with current events and trending or seasonal interests. Each also offers browsable subject lists.