Services for Educators
Ask-A-Librarian
Call, text, or email - we are here to help you find what you need and make the most of Library resources. What are some reasons to ask a librarian? Get assistance with research, school work, help locating legitimate news sources, help navigating the college application processes, and more! Get help today, ask a libraian.
Early Learning
Early literacy services at the Library offer a wide range of materials and early learning experiences to young children providing a foundation for the development of strong reading and listening skills. Learn more about our Early Learning services.
Exam Proctoring
Library staff can provide in-person proctoring for print or online exams in our public spaces during open hours. Learn more about exam proctoring.
Field Trips
Visit your closest branch for a tour, overview of resources, and fun activities. Can't come to us? Schedule a time for Library staff to come to you! Branch locations can be found on our website. Or, visit Kids' Central, at Central Library downtown. Kids' Central provides interactive activities incorporating a variety of technologies to ensure a dynamic, hands-on learning experience. For group visits at Central Library, call 317-275-4222 or Contact Us.
Itty Bitty Bookmobile Daycare Visits
You and your students can check out books from our mobile Library. The Itty Bitty Bookmobiles can be scheduled to visit your school or daycare. Reach out to our Outreach Department through our website to check for route availability.
Homeschool Services
Whether you have been homeschooling for many years or just getting started, the Library can provide a wealth of resources for your home education journey! Learn more about our Homeschool services.
Homework Help
Stuck? Confused? In a hurry? Don't give up...we can help! Students can ask for help at the Library in-person or by phone, text, or email. Learn more about our homework help services.
Professional Development by Request
Our Programming Department offers professional development opportunities by request. Sessions cover a wide variety of topics and can be customized to meet the needs of your staff. Contact programming@indypl.org to learn more
Reading Recommendations
Looking for the best books for your next lesson? The Indianapolis Public Library Blog covers homework topics, favorite genres, and more! 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. You can also see our recommendations updated monthly:
StoryWalks
Stroll through a park and read a book displayed in mounted frames. StoryWalk promotes literacy, physical activity, and family time outside! Learn more about our StoryWalks.
Study Rooms
Do your students need a quiet space to study, meet, or co-work? Study rooms are available at many of our locations. Make a study room reservation.
Teacher Collections
Library staff are happy to support your classroom by curating a collection of 30 books for your use. Just provide the topic and our librarians will go to work preparing an assortment of books for you to check out for your students. We also work to support class reads by gathering multiple copies of a title. Talk to staff at any of our locations.
Teen Services
Are your students looking for their next good book, something new to try, or homework and research resources? We can help! From books to movies to magazines and music, learn more about all the Library has to offer teens! Learn more about our teen services.
Collections
Indianapolis Public Library Online Catalog
Our online catalog is your 24/7 gateway to our entire catalog of available items - anytime, anywhere, on any device.
Indianapolis Public Library Kids Catalog
Our Kids Catalog includes materials specifically for children, giving them the opportunity to grow and master library catalog skills that contribute to strong lifelong learning and independent thinking.
Special Collections
Our special collections include adult and children's materials by local authors, photographs, scrapbooks, manuscripts, letters, newspapers, magazines, and more. These collections include both rare and special works as well as online resources and archival materials specific to Indiana and Indianapolis. Browse in-person or online depending on the collection.
Digital Indy
A digital archive containing more than one million items related to the culture and history of Indianapolis.
Encyclopedia of Indianapolis
Entries, timelines, interactive atlas, in-depth features, and more tell the stories of the people, organizations, place, and events that define Indianapolis and its metropolitan region.
Marion County Internet Library
A free and trusted online resource hub for students. Find reliable, research-approved information you can count on!
Research Databases
The Indianapolis Public Library offers dozens of online resources that you can access anytime, anywhere. Browse by clicking on a topic below, or search resources by name at the bottom of the page.
Reading Challenges
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Reading aloud to infants, toddlers or preschoolers helps develop pre-reading skills and builds a lifelong love of reading. Children receive prizes as their reading progresses. Child care centers and preschool programs are invited to join as well. Learn more about 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.
100 Books Before Graduation
Open to students in grades 6-12, this program challenges students to read 100 books before graduating from high school. Students who complete the challenge will receive prizes as their reading progresses. Learn more about 100 Books Before Graduation.
Programming
CBLC Book Fest and Juneteenth Celebration
The Center for Black Literature & Culture at Central Library hosts an annual Book Fest and Juneteenth Celebration offering a glimpse into African American Art, literature, and storytelling.
Dia del Nino at Be My Neighbor Day
Families with young children are invited for a celebration of language and literacy! Activities include concerts, storytimes in English and Spanish, games, art, and more! Make sure to see Daniel Tiger. Free books and giveaways for every child!
Fall Fest
Enjoy poets, dancers, speakers, and performers at this all-ages event that takes place annually at Central Library. It is an afternoon of inspiration and cultural entertainment that also features the Slammin' Rhymes Challenge.
Marian McFadden Memorial Lecture
This annual author lecture series, which typically takes place in the Spring, features an outstanding author of either adult or children’s literature. This lecture series has been bringing authors to Indianapolis since 1978.
Meet the Artists
This event, including both a months long exhibit and gala reception showcasing African American artists, has taken place annually at Central Library for more than thirty years.
Reading Ready Time
Reading Ready Time is a recorded virtual program that incorporates the five skills of early literacy learning: reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing. These five skills help caregivers and educators prepare young children for success in school and in life. Special guests share music, dance, and stories to build vocabulary and background knowledge. Designed for children 3-6 years old, Reading Ready Time runs throughout the school year.
Reading Challenges
Challenge yourself to read every day to expand your knowledge, ease stress, and create mindful reading habits.
Summer Reading Program
Join us at the Library each summer for free workshops, programs, and great books for all ages!
Online Calendar and Program Guide
Our online calendar of events of events is available 24/7. Find out about upcoming storytimes, craft programs, computer classes, author visits, and more.
You can also pick up a copy of our Program Guide, published three times a year, at any of our locations. The guide is a hands-on way to browse through our programs, classes, and events for all ages!
Library Card Campaign
The Library’s e-Resource Card Campaign is an initiative aimed at equipping all public school students in Marion County with access to vital Library resources. Through this partnership, students receive a card to borrow e-books and e-audiobooks, stream music and videos, and access over 80 research databases. Additionally, it offers limited borrowing privileges for physical materials. Students can upgrade to a full Library card by visiting any Indianapolis Public Library branch with a parent or guardian. “This brings us one step closer to our goal of providing a gateway to lifelong learning for every student in Marion County,” said Cordia Watkins, circulation manager at The Indianapolis Public Library.
The Shared System
The Shared System is an interlibrary collaboration between The Indianapolis Public Library, 86 schools, and five special libraries (including three museums*). The System allows members and students to use their Indianapolis Public Library cards to borrow materials from their own library, other Shared System libraries, as well as The Indianapolis Public Library's collection. See a list of our current Shared System partners.
*Museum collections are reference only. Library users may visit the museum libraries to view the materials found in our catalog.