Programs & Events

Programs By Theme

• Art, Craft & Hobby Workshops You are invited online or in-person to meet-up with fellow creatives to learn a new creative skill or improve one you have always enjoyed! Keep your creative muse flowing all year long!

• Computer Classes We offer a variety of computer, technology, and mobile skill classes from Microsoft Excel, to setting up email, to online privacy, and more!

• Financial Literacy Join us in-person or online to learn how to make informed financial decisions, effectively manage household finances, and strive toward financial independence!
  

• Health & Wellness Take charge of your health! Find online and in-person exercise, mindfulness or cooking classes, find reliable, trusted resources to manage good health, get access to medical research tools, and more!
  

• Music Performances Join us for a variety of performers from classical to jazz to opera to mariachi. We have music experiences for all ages and interests!
  

• Programs for Kids We have programs for kids from babies to teens. Join us for storytime, cooking classes, lego clubs, cooking classes, puppet shows, coding workshops, and more!

Book Discussions & Reading Challenges

• Book Discussions We offer a variety of in-person and online book discussions for adults, teens & kids.

• 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
  Substantial research indicates that the more children are read to during their early years, the more prepared they will be to read when entering kindergarten. 1,000 Books By Kindergarten is a program designed to help you reach that goal!

• 100 Books Before Graduation Your goal, should you choose to accept it, is to read 100 books before you graduate from high school. If you do, you will receive prizes as you participate. Prizes will be awarded after reading 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 books!

• New Horizons Reading Challenge Explore new horizons this year with the New Horizons Reading Challenge! Step into uncharted territory, journey to distant lands, and adventure away! Log your reading throughout the year to earn new badges!

• #WakeUpIndy #WakeUpIndy is an all ages community reading challenge to elevate, amplify, and support underrepresented voices. We read and talk about books written by underrepresented authors and books that raise awareness about racial issues and social injustices.

Summer Reading Program

We had so much fun during our annual Kids Summer Reading Program in 2022. Kids packed their [book]bags and took their imaginations to Camp Read S'more! They explored great stories and many prizes were earned for reading! We look forward to seeing you next year for the 2023 Kids Summer Reading Program! Learn more about the Kids Summer Reading Program

CBLC Book Fest & Juneteenth Celebration

All ages are invited to this annual event for activities that celebrate the African American experience through arts and crafts, ethnic food, and clothes while bringing together different components of the literary world. Learn more about the CBLC Book Fest & Juenteenth Celebration.

Fall Fest

Enjoy an afternoon of inspiration and cultural entertainment at IndyPL's annual Fall Fest and Slammin' Rhymes Challenge. The event includes a featured guest speaker, local performances, and readings by winners of the Slammin' Rhymes Challenge. Check our site in September and October to get an entry form for the Slammin' Rhymes XVI contest! Learn more about Fall Fest and the Slammin' Rhymes Challenge.

Homeschool Fair

Considering homeschooling? New to homeschooling? Already homeschooling, but looking for new ideas? IndyPL hosts an annual information fair - a day filled with learning and fun! Hands-on activities, engaging lectures, and lots of resource tables. Our Homeschool Fair typically take place in July. Learn more about homeschooling services an IndyPL.

Adult Summer Reading Program

The Adult Summer Reading Program concluded on Saturday, July 30, 2022. Adults explored great reads and completed activities to earn badges and prizes along the way. They also enjoyed writing and journaling workshops hosted by local experts. We look forward to seeing you next year for the 2023 Adult Summer Reading Program! Learn more about the Adult Summer Reading Program.

IndyPL Author Fair - Meet an Author, Be an Author

Join fellow writers annually for an afternoon devoted expressly to Indiana's talented authors. Meet and network with up-and-coming Indiana authors. Add to your writing toolbox with workshops led by experts. Learn more about the IndyPL Author Fair.

Meet the Artists

This event, including both a months long exhibit and gala reception, has taken place annually at Central Library for more than thirty years. The 2022 exhibit featured the artists “The Eighteen,” a collective of 18 like minded and civically engaged Black visual artists in and around the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area who painted Indy’s #BlackLivesMatter street mural. We are already looking forward to Meet the Artists 2023! Learn more about Meet the Artists.

Marian McFadden Memorial Lecture

The Marian McFadden Memorial Lecture Series was established after the Library Foundation received a gift from the estate of Marian McFadden, Director of Public Libraries in Indianapolis from 1945-1956. This annual author lecture series, which typically takes place in the Spring, was named in her honor and has taken place since 1978. Learn more about the Maran McFadden Memorial Lecture.