Best Libraries Open On Holidays In Indianapolis Near Me

4worldlovers: Attention teachers and youth librarians! There’s a new kit coming from the Indiana State Library created especially with middle and high school students in mind. History Escape Room Kits will be available for teachers and librarians to check out starting in January of 2024.

The Indiana State Library is thrilled to announce the newest version of the Indiana Library Passport, a digital experience that encourages everyone to visit libraries across the Hoosier state. The new version of the passport will launch on May 8 and has many upgraded features.

Did you know that in Indiana, professional librarians need to be certified? The level of professional certificate required depends on a combination of the library’s district population size and the librarian’s position within the library itself. Having professional standards not only provides that library patrons are getting a certain level of competence when being assisted by a librarian, but is also the law in Indiana.

Upcoming webinars from the Indiana State Library’s Professional Development Office, December 8, 2022

Greetings this holiday season! The Professional Development Office is busy planning a wide range of webinar topics for the coming year. Below you will find the important dates for the Indiana State Library’s training and professional development events taking place in 2023. You’ll notice that we will feature a What’s Up Wednesday webinar training series on the last Wednesday of each month and our new webinar training series called What’s Up Wednesday: Trends & Technology will take place on the second Wednesday of each month.

4worldlovers: The Learning Curve is a high tech, hands-on area designed just for kids, teens, and their families. From story times to art programs, and even an area for teens only, youth may visit the Learning Curve to develop interpretive and critical thinking skills.


The Center for Black Literature & Culture (CBLC) is dedicated to celebrating the vibrant and resilient heritage and triumphs of those born of African roots. The CBLC's collection includes specially selected literature, music, movies, and artwork highlighting the contributions of black icons, specifically those with Indiana roots.

The Nina Mason Pulliam Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR) houses collections of archival materials. These include adult and children's materials by local authors, photographs, scrapbooks, typescripts, manuscripts, autographed editions, letters, newspapers, and magazines.

The Assistive Technology Room provides equipment to enhance the library experience for patrons with special needs. This room includes CCTV and a specially designed workstation to offer a variety of features intended to help patrons with mobility, visual, and learning disabilities. Additional assistive services include handheld magnifiers and magnicams.

Receive hands-on instruction on computer skills, computer applications, and accessing online services in Central Library's Computer Training Lab during our computer and technology programs. You can also browse our current schedule of computer classes offered at Central Library as well as our other branch locations.

The Tech Learning Lab on the1st Floor provides personal assistance from Library staff for patrons using the library's Windows 10 computers. Staff can assist with learning computer skills, accessing common online services, and using your personal device such as smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access the library's online services and programs.

3D printing equipment at Central Library includes a S5 Ultimaker Printer, a 3D Systems Cube Printer, and a Maker Navigator Printer. Meet at our monthly Makerspace workshops to learn the basics of 3D printing from concept to creation. Individual appointments are also available with a library staff member, either to print a project or tour the equipment.

Meet with a librarian one-on-one in order to be introduced to business resources including Reference USA, Business Insights Global, Mergent Intellect, and Gale Virtual Reference Library databases. Additional resources can be accessed based on individual need. Schedule an appointment by texting 317-333-6877 or register through Ask-a-Librarian.

In existence for over 25 years, the Chris Gonzalez Library and Archives served as a place where LGBTQ+ people could access materials specific to their community. Curated by Michael Bohr, the library was comprised of over 7,000 titles, mostly from donations from community members. In 2017, Indy Pride entered into a partnership with The Indianapolis Public Library to receive most of the book and video materials, curate, and house them at Central Library. There are three ways to find items in the collection:

Visit the permanent display highlighting the Collection in the Simon Reading Room at Central Library.

As you browse and borrow from our collection, items that are a part of the Collection have an identifying bookplate inside.

The Newspaper collection contains a selection of United States and Indiana newspapers including current issues on paper and historic issues on microfilm. Materials do not circulate.

The Central Library is designated an official Patent and Trademark Depository Library by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Washington. Learn more.

The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) ensures that the American public has free access to U.S. government information through depository libraries. As a selective FDLP library, digital and print federal government resources are accessible through our catalog, Central Library, and the numerous other IndyPL library locations.