The Indianapolis Public Library offers over 10,000 free programs a year. Meet your favorite author, hear a live concert, take a yoga or cooking class, or explore something new at the Library all year long!
Browse or online calendar for both online and in-person programs, performances, classes and more for adults, teens, and children.
Favorite Programs & Reading Challenges
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.
Annual Featured Events
Summer Reading Program
Pack your bags and take your imagination to Camp Read S'more! Explore great stories and earn prizes for reading. In June and July, Camp Read S’more will host free workshops and kids programs. Visit your local branch or our online calendar to join the fun! Monday June 6th to Saturday, July 30th. Learn more
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. We look forward to June 18th at Central Library! Learn more
Fall Fest
Enjoy an afternoon of inspiration and cultural entertainment at IndyPL's annaul 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
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. This year's Homeschool Fair will take place Saturday, July 30. Learn more and register. Learn more about homeschooling services an IndyPL.
Adult Summer Reading Program
The Summer Reading Program is not just for kids and teens, adults can join the fun as well! Explore great reads and participate in activities by obtaining participation badges and prizes along the way. Monday, June 6th to Saturday, July 30th. All adults are welcome to participate. Learn more
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. The 2022 Fair will take place Saturday, August 6 at Central Library. Learn more
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
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. The 2022 lecturer will be author and illustrator Kadir Nelson! Learn more