Special Collections
Book Club in a Bag
Book Club in a Bag is a convenient way for you to get a group of friends together to enjoy reading the same book. We'll provide multiple copies of the same book for your group to read, you gather your people and provide the snacks. It's that easy! Choose from over 500 titles. There are Book Clubs in a Bag for kids' chapter books too. Learn more here.
Bunny Book Bags
Check out a Bunny Book Bag already full of 15 picture books OR a Baby Bunny Book Bag full of 10 board books. Borrowing books for your little ones has never been easier or more fun! Learn more here.
Federal Depository Library Program
The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) ensures that the American public has free access to U.S. government information through depository libraries. As a selective FDLP library, digital and print federal government resources are accessible through our catalog, Central Library, and the numerous other IndyPL library locations.
Center for Black Literature & Culture: The Power of Black Voices
Explore the vibrant and resilient heritage and triumphs of those born of African roots. This online collection includes artifacts, photographs, and articles in the categories: Black Literature, Indianapolis Black Heritage, Black Culture, Black Librarianship, and The African Diaspora. See the collection online here.
Racial Equity Collection
The Racial Equity Collection makes it easy for Library patrons to access antiracism and social justice resources. The Library purchased thousands of new 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. Browse the collection online here.
Encyclopedia of Indianapolis
This encyclopedia includes entries, timelines, an interactive atlas, in-depth features, and more to tell the stories of the people, organizations, places, and events that define Indianapolis and its metropolitan region. The encyclopedia aims to provide information to help citizens participate more effectively in developing the city. Suggest entries, add information, and help improve this resource. You can contribute your ideas, knowledge, photos, and documents here. Get started browsing here.
Digital Indy Archives
Digital Indy is the Indianapolis Public Library's digital collection which provides access to digital images and recordings of cultural and historical interest. See the collection online here.
Center for Black Literature & Culture
The Center for Black Literature & Culture (CBLC) is dedicated to celebrating the vibrant and resilient heritage and triumphs of those born of African roots. The CBLC's collection includes specially selected literature, music, movies, and artwork highlighting the contributions of black icons, specifically those with Indiana roots. Learn more here.
Indianapolis Special Collections Room
The Nina Mason Pulliam Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR) houses collections of archival materials. These include adult and children's materials by local authors, photographs, scrapbooks, typescripts, manuscripts, autographed editions, letters, newspapers, and magazines. Learn more here.
Learning Curve @ Central Library
The Learning Curve is a high tech, hands-on area designed just for kids, teens, and their families. From story times to art programs, and even an area for teens only, youth may visit the Learning Curve to develop interpretive and critical thinking skills. Learn more
Murals for Racial Justice Collection
While visiting the Center for Black Literature & Culture at Central Library you can also both view and borrow from the Murals for Racial Justice Collection. Local artists of color were commissioned to create the murals in June, 2020. The artworks were originally created on wood that was used to cover downtown windows amid protests of the police-involved killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Dreasjon Reed. Learn more here.
Chris Gonzalez Library and Archives Collection
This Collection is a resource for LGBTQ+ people to access materials specific to their community. IndyPL is committed to growing this collection to make it more inclusive of people of color, women, non-binary, transgender, and lesbian/bisexual/queer/+ authors, as well as people at the intersections of these identities. Visit the permanent display highlighting the Collection in the Simon Reading Room at Central Library or view the collection in our online catalog. Learn more about the history of the collection here.
Newspaper & Microfilm
The Newspaper collection contains a selection of United States and Indiana newspapers including current issues on paper and historic issues on microfilm. Materials do not circulate.
Patent & Trademark Depositary
The Central Library is designated an official Patent and Trademark Depository Library by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Washington. Learn more
Foundation Collection
The Foundation Collection provides visitors access to grant maker directories, books on fundraising and nonprofit management, and the Foundation Center's electronic databases. The databases include detailed profiles of all active U.S. foundations, as well as an extensive file of recent grants awarded by the nation's top funders.
You can check out zines by local and BIPOC creators at East 38th Street. You may be asking- what is a zine? A zine (short for magazine) is often a self-published or small run publication of a specific interest collection of stories, pictures, and comics. Zines provide an alternative point of view that may not be expressed by traditional media or publishers. Learn more about the Zine Collection.