The Indianapolis Public Library Receives $15,000 Young Adult Civic Learning Grant

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Public Library is proud to announce that it has received $15,000 as part of the Civic Makers Lab for Adults initiative from the Urban Libraries Council (ULC). 

The Civic Makers Lab for Adults is a program that equips librarians to serve as civic learning facilitators, and empowers young adults ages 18-24 to be active contributors to their communities.

The program will help young adults acquire civic knowledge and skills through action, harnessing experiential learning methods that will help them build new pathways rooted in curiosity, connection, and problem-solving, rather than partisanship. The library was one of 10 nationwide to receive the grant. 

“The Indianapolis Public Library is the heart of every neighborhood, and a place where people can learn, develop, and ultimately, become civic leaders in our community,” said Gregory A. Hill Sr., CEO of The Indianapolis Public Library. “We are thankful to the Urban Libraries Council for their support of our work and our young adults.”

“It’s more important than ever for our young leaders to see libraries as safe, inclusive spaces where they can dream, explore, and ask questions. That’s how we help create the community leaders of tomorrow,” added Brooks Rainwater, President & CEO of the Urban Libraries Council.  “At a moment when civic education is often politicized, or nonexistent, libraries can play a defining role in strengthening civic health through hands-on, real-world learning.” 

The library will use the grant to implement young adult civic learning experiences such as simulations, community design challenges, project-based civic action, and civic awareness campaigns, including a small pilot project and a larger project.

About Urban Libraries Council: The Urban Libraries Council is an innovation and action tank of North America's leading public library systems. We drive cutting-edge research and strategic partnerships to elevate the power of libraries as essential, transformative institutions for the 21st century. We identify significant challenges facing today's communities and develop new tools and techniques to help libraries achieve stronger outcomes in education, workforce and economic development, digital equity and race and social equity.

More information about The Indianapolis Public Library can be found at indypl.org.

Contact Austin Goss at media@indypl.org for media inquiries.