Schedule field trips, tours, and programs for groups in the Learning Curve at Central Library by calling 317-275-4222 or Contact Us. You can also reach out to your home branch for tours and other resources. New to homeschooling? Take a look at Indiana’s Homeschool requirements and FAQs at the Indiana Department of Education website.
Made possible by Zeff Weiss Memorial Fund through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation.
Upcoming Programs
Paws to Read at West Perry
West Perry Branch
Young ones who need to practice their reading skills are invited to come read to Daisy, a Yorkshire Terrier therapy dog. Register for a 15 minute reading session by visiting the West Perry branch or calling (317) 275-4390.
Storytime at Fort Ben - Tunes and Tales
Fort Ben Branch
Join us for a stories accompanied by live music!
Meet a Reindeer
Pike Branch
Meet a reindeer and other animals at these drop-in sessions. Ask your questions and take a picture with the critters. All ages and families are welcome.
Homeschool Collection
Browse this growing set of materials selected for homeschooling families of all ages who are interested in supplementing their current curriculum. This collection includes a wide range of subjects and focuses on curriculum and textbooks. The collection is available for in-branch browsing at the following locations, but materials may be placed on hold at any branch, or from home.
Encyclopedia of Indianapolis Articles
Monument Circle
Did you know that five churches once were located around Monument Circle? Explore Monument Circle through the Last Century in this Encyclopedia of Indianapolis special feature that includes information about the origins and development of Monument Circle. The feature includes a video that shows what the buildings located around the Circle looked like in the 1920s and then shows what the same space looks like in the 2020s. Photos taken from the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the early 20th century and then mid-20th century then follow.
To learn more about Monument Circle and its history, the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis also has full entries that provide more information about the Circle, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, and buildings surrounding it:
- Monument Circle
- Soldiers and Sailors Monument
- Hilbert Circle Theatre
- English Hotel and Opera House
- 120 Monument Circle
- Columbia Club
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Circle Tower
*Follow up with your own field trip of the Circle and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
Indiana World War Memorial Plaza
Did you know that Indianapolis has more land dedicated to honoring veterans and fallen soldiers than any other city in the United States other than Washington, D.C.? Explore the development and history of the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza through this special feature which describes the origins of the Indiana World War Memorial beginning in 1919. It includes an interactive map showing what stood on the property before it was developed. Learn how the site was chosen for the national headquarters of the American Legion. It then describes the plans for the memorial building, the American Legion, and the landscaping of the mall that surrounds them. *Schedule a tour to visit the Indiana War Memorial.
Downtown Development
Did you know that Indianapolis is one of only a few planned state capitals in the United States? Explore the evolution of downtown development in Indianapolis from 1821 to the present in the EOI special feature.
Indiana Avenue
Did you know that Indiana Avenue was a major cultural center for jazz in the United States? Explore the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis special feature Indiana Avenue that describes the history and evolution of this important cultural hub for the African American community in Indianapolis.
Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian.
Homeschool Resources at Your Library
Hello! On this list, you will find some recent additions to our Homeschool Collection. (list is organized by publication year and then by title) At the end of the list, there is also a link to databases that are accessible through the Library.
Everything You Need to Know About Homeschooling
A Comprehensive, Easy-to-use Guide for the Journey From Early Learning Through Graduation
From the book description: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, more families than ever before are considering or reevaluating homeschooling. Lea Ann Garfias, homeschooling mom of six and herself a homeschool graduate, has all the information you need to succeed. She guides you through your toughest questions, including: Should I homeschool my kids? How do I get started? What books should I buy? What do I do in the first day? The first year? How do I know if my child is on track? If homeschooling is successful? What do I teach in each subject at every age? What is my own best way of teaching, and how can my child learn his own way? What if my child has a learning disability? What are the dangers of homeschooling, and how do I avoid them? Will homeschooling help my family draw closer to God and to each other?
The Brave Learner
Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life
This book is a guide to making everyday life more magical, to help channel children's curiosity, and help catch those teachable moments so as to create an environment of learning. Also available as an eBook and eAudiobook.
Homeschool Hacks
How to Give your Kid A Great Education Without Losing your Job (or your Mind)
From the book description: A working mother of six, who has homeschooled her own children for years, shows how any family can do it, with customized plans for every schedule, lifestyle, and educational goal... Whether you are considering homeschooling for the long term, the short term, or the first time, this book has everything you need to become your kids’ best teacher ever.