Category: Research & Learn

Learn more about some of our most frequently asked questions about voting and elections. For more information visit the Indiana State Government Voter Information Portal. Or visit the Marion County Voter Portal for local information.

2024 Election Dates and Deadlines

  • Monday, October 7, 2024
    Voter Registration Deadline (online, by mail, and in-person)
    Find out how to register to vote in Indiana.
    On this site you can confirm your voter registration status, start or update your voter registration, learn how to register to vote by mail or in-person, or download the National Voter Registration Form in English and multiple additional languages.

  • Tuesday, October 8, 2024
    Early Voting Begins at the Indianapolis City-County Building
    200 E. Washing St., W122
    Indianaplis, IN 46204

  • Thursday, October 24, 2024
    Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot
    Find out how to apply for an absentee ballot.

  • Saturday, October 26, 2024
    Satellite Site Voting Begins
    Find an early voting location.

  • Monday, November 4, 2024
    Early Voting Ends

  • Tuesday, November 5, 2024
    Election Day
    Find a convenient IndyVOTES Center.
    All registered Marion County voters can vote at any Vote Center on Election Day.

Remember to bring ID

You must have your valid photo ID issued by the state of Indiana or the federal government with you. The Supreme Court upheld the requirement of an Indiana State ID to vote. Public Law 109-2005 requires Indiana residents to present a government-issued photo ID.

This law requires your photo ID to meet four criteria to be acceptable for voting purposes. See the four requirements your photo ID must include.

Where can I get an ID?

VoteRiders provides 100% free voter assistance. Get help:

  • obtaining documents (birth certificates, change of name records, etc.)
  • arranging rides to and from ID–issuing offices
  • providing copies of ID for those eligible to vote by mail

Contact by phone 844-338-8743.

Frequently Asked Questions

Voting Basics

Why should I vote?

The National Geographic Society provides good information on why it is important that everyone exercise their right to vote

What are my rights as a voter?

The Indiana Voters Bill of Rights available in English and Spanish.

I am a college student, what should I know about voting?

The Student Voting Guide specifically helps students better understand how to vote.

What is the Electoral College and how does it work?

For an explanation of how the college works, including statistics and historical counts, visit the National Archives and Records Administration.

How can I find out who my current government representatives are?

Your current elected officials can be accessed at the Voter Information Portal. You can click on the yellow icon “Find Elected Officials” to pull up a map and enter your address. Then you can choose Federal, State, County, Township, or school officials.

You may also view maps of your districts at Indiana Election Division – Statistics and Maps. If you have questions about your districts, you can call the Marion County Board of Voter Registrationat 317-327-5042.

Preparing to Vote

How can I turn in my registration form?

Registration forms may be mailed to or dropped off at the Marion County Board of Voter Registration. According to the Indiana Secretary of State’s Election Division, to vote in a primary or general election, you must register at least twenty-nine (29) days before that election. Additionally, a mail-in voter registration application must be postmarked at least twenty-nine (29) days in advance of the election.

Can I (avoid long waits and) vote early?

All registered Indiana voters are eligible to vote early in-person. See more information on how to vote early in Indiana.

Where is my polling place?

Find out where to vote by choosing “Find Your Polling Place” on the Voter Information Portal.

What if I can’t vote on Election Day?

For people who cannot travel to their polling place on Election Day, an absentee ballot can be used. To see if you are eligible to vote absentee, or to download an online application, go to the Marion County Election Voter Information Portal Absentee Forms. Also, you may call the Election Board at 317-327-8683 to have a form mailed to you. Early voters, military and overseas voters, and a travelling board for sick, injured or disabled voters and their caregivers may all be eligible for absentee voting.

Know the Candidates

Who are the candidates running for office?

To find a list of candidates on the ballot that you will be voting for, you can access them at the Voter Information Portal. Click on the yellow icon “Who’s on the Ballot?” You will need to put in your name and your birthdate as well as the county where you are registered to vote. You will find a list of the candidates who currently on the ballot.

Where can I find information about the candidates?

To find out more about each candidate you can easily find them online by searching their names on Google. Remember to consider who is providing the information on any site about a candidate and consider if the site may be biased. One reliable site is called Ballot Ready presented by the National Science Foundation, the Knight Foundation, and the University of Chicago Institute of Politics.

Where can I check the facts I find?

There are several good sites for fact checking – two easy-to-use options are Fact Check and Politifact. Another interesting one is NewsGuard, which works as a Chrome browser extension.

Election Day

What if I need a ride to my polling place to vote?

The Marion County Democratic, Libertarian, and Republican parties provide transportation to the polls to residents of Marion County. When calling, first give your name, then provide your address, and finally, include your telephone number.

Libertarian Party of Marion County
8063 Madison Avenue #1003
Indianapolis, IN 46227 (317) 985-7985

Marion County Democratic Party
156 East Market Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 377-4340

Marion County Republican Party
101 West Ohio Street Suite 2200
Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 964-5050

Where can I find election results?

Official Marion County election results are available from the Voter Information Portal. Click on “Election Night Results” or on “Historical Election Results.”. Official results from current and past elections throughout the state of Indiana are provided by the Election Division of the Indiana Secretary of State’s office.

The Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives also provides Election Statistics from 1920 to 2014.

Reading Recommendations from IndyPL Staff

VOTING MATTERS

Leaders at the local and national level play a role in shaping our local communities, and your vote is responsible for selecting those leaders. Former Candidate for Indiana State Senate, Belinda Drake, will speak at the East 38th St. Branch on Tuesday, October 11th, at 5:30 pm, about the importance of voting and getting involved to make a difference. Here is a selection of resources about voting rights and how our votes matter.

Title - The Voting Rights WarTitle - It Occurs to Me That I Am AmericaTitle - The Susan B. Anthony WomenTitle - We

The Voting Rights Act of 1965

On August 6, 1965, US President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law. This federal legislation aimed “to enforce the fifteenth amendment to the Constitution” and to eliminate discriminatory practices and arbitrary barriers to voting imposed at the state and local level. Explore this cross-generational list of books, graphic novels and DVDs to learn more about the history and the importance of this law in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Title - The March on WashingtonTitle - Freedom Summer for Young PeopleTitle - Bending Toward JusticeTitle - Eyes on the Prize

Politics, Public Service, Activism and the Press

The headliners, history makers, and their influence on culture and politics.

Title - Confidence ManTitle - Thank You for your ServitudeTitle - The ForerunnerTitle - Allow Me to Retort

Elections and Voting for Kids – It’s a Big Deal!

Choose a book or two from this list to learn about the United States election process, who can vote, and the history of how each has developed over the last 200+ years. Find out the answers to some puzzling FAQs: What’s a ballot? What is a poll? What does suffrage mean? Why couldn’t Black people vote? Why couldn’t women vote? You can read a general history or focus on one issue, event, or person who made a difference.

Title - Presidential Elections and Other Cool FactsTitle - Your Voice, your VoteTitle - The WalkTitle - Black Voter Suppression

Build your digital life skills with IndyPL this Digital Inclusion Week. The digital divide is the gap between those who have affordable access, skills, and support to effectively engage online, and those who do not. This divide impacts households in Indianapolis. The Library helps bridge the gap with free public computers and wifi, free computer skill training, and helpful staff to support those still developing their digital life skills.

Every year Digital Inclusion Week is a time for raising awareness, advocating for digital equity, and promoting the many resources available to help people take advantage of digital technology. Digital Inclusion Week for 2024 is October 7 – 11. We hope you’ll join us this year as we celebrate by building our digital life skills.

Read on for suggested activities you can complete to develop your own digital skills or help you take action to support digital equity in Indianapolis. Learn more about all the services The Library offers to help get you connected to the Internet. Use our computers and other technologies, both in our locations and at home. Our services are available every week, all year long.

1. Develop Your Digital Skills at The Library

You can take computer and technology classes to build your digital life skills at The Library throughout the year. Build your digital skills with a learning plan custom designed for you.

Take an assessment in English or Spanish on The Library’s Northstar Digital Literacy platform and get feedback with a learning plan tailored to the skills you need most. Assessments offered include: Basic Computer Skills, Internet Basics, Using Email, Windows 10, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Docs, Information Literacy, Career Search Skills, and Your Digital Footprint. Register for an at-home assessment to complete online or attend an in-person class. See the Tech Learning Lab’s complete program schedule. Once you have a learning plan, you can work at your own pace to tackle online lessons to develop the digital life sklll you need most. Browse our complete listing of computer and technology classes:

  • Event: Career Center at Haughville
  • Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 10:30am
  • Location: Haughville Branch
  • Description: Adults needing help with creating a resume, searching for a job or career online, or filling out an online job application are invited to receive free one-on-one assistance.
  • No Registration Required.

2. Find affordable device access in your neighborhood.

You can also use your Library card to check out a device called a hotspot to connect to the Internet for free. A WiFi hotspot provides a link to the Internet from anyplace you plug it in! Borrow a hotspot from one of our 16 locations that currently lend them. Availability for these devices is during regular branch hours. The hotspots are not-requestable, or renewable, but are available for check out first come, first serve.

3. Have internet but suspect it isn’t reliable? Can’t get broadband to your home? Share your experience.

Indiana’s State Broadband Office is helping Hoosiers use their voice when it comes to their unreliable or absent broadband connectivity. Visit this website that allows users to test internet speed and answer questions regarding their connectivity.

4. Help map the solutions to the digital devide in your neighborhood.

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Explore Indiana’s Digital Equity Map to find resources in your community. Have a resource you want to share? Submit your community digital inclusion resource to help support the states first Digital Equity Plan.

Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian.

Improve your knitting skills with free online tutorials.

Learning to knit or improving your knitting skills has never been easier. All you need is your IndyPL library card! You can use your IndyPL Library card to take a Craftsy class and watch step-by-step instructions on a variety of creative crafts, such as baking, cake decorating, quilting, knitting, and more. Learn more about how to use the Craftsy craft tutorials.

Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian.

Get inspiration for improving your knitting skills.

If you need more evidence for the power of making, or something to read or listen to while you work, check out the following books on how creation can help bring meaning and purpose to our lives:

Join us at an upcoming Library program.

Join one of our monthly knitting groups! We also offer arts and crafts classes and workshps throughout the year for kids, teens, and adults. See our full schedule of Arts and Crafts programs.

  • Event: Fiber Arts Club at Lawrence
  • Date & Time: Saturday, November 23, 10:30am
  • Location: Lawrence Branch
  • Description: Knitters, crocheters, and fiber artists of all kinds are welcome to join a monthly group of like-minded people who love to knit and crochet; no matter the level of proficiency or the age. Please register. Walk-ins welcome when space is available. We are not able to accommodate large groups.
  • Register Here
  • Event: Crochet-A-Long at Michigan Road
  • Date & Time: Tuesday, December 03, 6:00pm
  • Location: Michigan Road Branch
  • Description: Those who enjoy crocheting, knitting, or other fiber arts are invited to learn a new craft and make something for the homeless. Basic supplies will be provided at the meeting.
  • No Registration Required.
  • Event: Stitch Some Support
  • Date & Time: Monday, December 09, 6:00pm
  • Location: Southport Branch
  • Description: Are you interested in yarncrafting with a spin on community service? Join us for an evening of crochet and knitting at Southport! A new project, skill, and donation recipient will be featured at each meeting, with options for beginners and experienced crafters alike.
  • Register Here

Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff.

Knitting Pop Culture

It’s hot outside! If you’re staying indoors, binge-watching movies and tv shows, try knitting while you watch. This winter you could be wearing mittens inspired by Little Women, a hat inspired by The Great Gatsby, a knitted Princess Leia’s snow vest, a homemade knitted sweater of your favorite Disney character, or a Hogwarts house cardigan.

Crafty Characters – Fiction About Knitting

Lacking the motivation to pick up the needles these days? Or are you an aspiring knitter looking for literary inspiration? These novels on knitting will keep you busy either way.

Title - Marriage of InconvenienceTitle - The Vampire Knitting ClubTitle - The Shop on Blossom StreetTitle - Hounds of the Basket Stitch

Knitting My Way to Peace

I’ll be honest, I love to knit. I find it very soothing and relaxing. I enjoy tv more when my hands are busy. Knitting is easy to learn and The Library has lots of resources to help the neophyte and challenge the veteran knitter.

Title - Learn to KnitTitle - Learn How to Knit With 50 SquaresTitle - Easy Knit DishclothsTitle - The Chicks With Sticks Guide to Knitting

Needlework and Mysteries

Needlework of all kinds….sewing, knitting, crocheting, weaving and embroidery are featured in these first books of various mystery series.

Title - Seams Like MurderTitle - On Skein of DeathTitle - Hems & HomicideTitle - The Vampire Knitting Club

Knitting!

Whether you are a beginning knitter or the nerdiest of needlers, the collection at the Indianapolis Public Library has materials for you. Check out our array of books, online resources, and DVDs that are sure to get your needles clicking and your yarn flying!

Title - Vogue KnittingTitle - First Time KnittingTitle - Japanese Knitting Stitch BibleTitle - Mason-Dixon Knitting

If you love learning, the Library can provide many opportunities. You can read books and e-books, listen to audiobooks, and watch movies on practically every topic imaginable. You may not know that you can also learn from some of the world’s leading experts via The Great Courses offered through Kanopy. Kanopy is an on-demand video streaming service available to IndyPL library card holders. Have you explored this fantastic learning opportunity?

The Great Courses are college level classes you can enjoy on your own schedule. The classes are designed for people who want to learn without working toward a degree. There are no deadlines or tests to worry about. Some of the classes include supplemental materials, so be sure to download the PDFs, where available. The classes are completely free. You don’t even need to spend any of your monthly Kanopy credits to watch them, so dive in to Kanopy Great Courses and start learning!

For example, The Great Courses offers The National Geographic Guide to Birding in North America class. This class can help someone become a skillful birdwatcher.

There are episodes about bird anatomy, habitat, behavior migration, and more. The program even goes on a virtual journey to some of the best birding sites in North America. If you don’t have time right now to do the entire 24 episode class, you can take as long as you’d like or skip ahead to something that interests you. That’s not something you couldn’t do if you were enrolled in a class that met in person each week! Kanopy has wonderful flexibility.

The Great Courses cover Finance, Health, Hobbies, Food and Wine, History, Literature and Language, Math and Science, Music and Fine Arts, Philosophy, Professional and Personal Growth, Travel, Programs for Young Learners and more. See some of our Staff’s favorites!

How to Get Started on The Great Courses in Kanopy

Have questions? Call the Tinker Tech/Device Helpline at 317-275-4500 or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian.

TIP: Many of The Great Courses are also available on DVD, Audio Book CD, or as a downloadable audiobooks through Libby. Search “The Great Courses” in our online catalog.

Barbara Ann O’Leary, a Computer Lab Assistant at Central Library. Barbara has a voracious appetite for exploring a wide range of topics and enjoys helping people use digital technology to expand their horizons.

Person looking at a fake news article on a tablet.

It has always been true that the passing of information can go wrong, like the game “telephone,” in which a piece of information distorts the more times it passes from one person to the next. But sometimes information is false to begin with, or is purposely distorted to mislead an audience. Rising social and political upheaval make the importance of finding accurate news information with thorough, and timely information more vital than ever – in some cases, it can be literally life or death.

Since the rise of social media and the ease with which messages, photos, and videos can spread, it is more crucial than ever to develop skills for finding accurate information as well as spotting inaccurate information. There are some simple tools available to help you give what you see and hear an accuracy check. These skills are for all information consuming people from kids to adults. You can begin honing your information skills in three easy steps.

3 Steps to Improve Information Literacy Skills

1. Learn the Vocabulary

News stories and social media posts can fall in different places on a scale from “true but misleading” to” completely false.” Inaccuracies can be honest mistakes or deliberate attempts to spread false information. It is good to know the words that describe these differences. Knowing them helps us name the problem we see when we read something that doesn’t quite add up.

Some news stories are purposely written to mislead:

  • fake news: news stories that are untrue and never happened
  • disinformation: false information that is purposely made up and spread to hide the truth or spread a lie to make it seem like the truth
  • ommission: purposely misleading by leaving out important details

Some news stories mistakenly report false information:

  • misinformation: inaccurate information that is mistakenly reported and spread due to an error or mistake; there was no intention to mislead the audience
  • correction or retraction: when a news source admits an error and publishes an admission of that error, or a correction, if they have learned more accurate information

This video from Cyberwise.org’s Fake News Learning Hub is a great introduction to the concept of fake news.

2. Learn How to Spot Bad Information

Now that you know the different types of information mis-steps from honest mistakes to deceptions, now it’s time to learn how to tell the difference as you read and hear news stories. This infographic from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is a great checklist of 8 things to consider when deciding if a piece of information is reliable.

You can use this checklist to analyze a news story, facebook post, or youtube video yourself. Another way to verify a news story is to enter a search in one of these sites that specialize in tracking down source information to identify fake news, misinformation, and bias for information consumers. Each one specializes in certain types of information or information channels.

  • snopes.com A reference source for researching urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation.
  • politifact.org A website that specializes in fact-checking journalism.
  • truthorfiction.com Get information about eRumors, fake news, disinformation, warnings, offers, requests for help, myths, hoaxes, virus warnings, and humorous or inspirational stories circulated by email.

3. Learn About Your Own Go-to News Sources

Another very helpful resource is the Interactive Media Bias Chart. You can look up most major newspapers, magazines, or television news channels and see how each rate for both bias and accuracy. You can also look up particular stories to see how individual stories rate.

The chart also helps you see how these news channels compare to each other. Really good advice is to get your news from a variety of sources. In order to get a well rounded understanding from more than one point of view, a good rule of thumb is to pick news sources that don’t sit right next to each other on the chart.

Finding Accurate Information – Dig a Little Deeper

The articles listed below are from libraries, universities, and other organizations who have published in-depth discussions about the challenges associated with being an informed listener and reader.

  • Center for Media Literacy (CML) works to help people develop critical thinking for the 21st century media culture. Their goal is to empower wise information choices.
  • Media Literacy Now An organization that wants to ensure all K-12 students receive media literacy education and skills.
  • National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) A non-profit organization dedicated to advancing media literacy education.
  • The News Literacy Project (NLP) Provides programs and resources for educators and the public to teach, learn and share the abilities needed to be smart, active consumers of news and information and equal and engaged participants in a democracy.
  • The Poynter Institute Promotes honest information in the marketplace of ideas.

To level up your skills finding accurate news sources even more, read one of these more comprehensive guides and handbooks:

International Center for Journalists: A Short Guide to the History of ‘Fake News’ and Disinformation. (Also Available in Spanish or Czech.)

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization): Journalism, ‘Fake News’ and Disinformation: A Handbook for Journalism Education and Training (This handbooks is available in English full color or print friendly, Spanish, French, Arabic, and many more. Just scroll down on the page to see the full list of languages.)

learn coding skills at The Library

CompTIA’s Cyberstates Report shows that tech employment in Indianapolis is growing. Many of those jobs require some coding skills or technical skill training. There are a wealth of resources available to help you learn to code or start to transition into a tech career. So many that it can often feel overwhelming to know where to start! Here are some of our favorite library resources, free online resources, and community organizations that can help you take a first step into developing new coding and tech skills.

What is coding?

Coding or, computer programming, is communicating with computers by creating a set of instructions for the computer to follow. Code can be used in many different ways: making websites and smartphone apps, analyzing information or data for businesses, building software for computers, to control robots, or even automating simple, repetitive tasks on a computer such as filling in forms or sending email reminders. Technology shapes the world around us. Learning to code can help you control that technology and create new uses for it.

Why should you learn to code?

If you are exploring new career options, want a new creative hobby, or just want to understand how the technology around you works – you should consider learning to code! Learning to code will help you be a more informed computer user and provide you with interesting options for solving tech-based problems. If you enjoy creating, then coding opens new digital creativity pathways for art, music, and more. For those seeking a new career, coding and tech skills can lead to high-demand career paths with good income potential – both in the tech industry and in other industries that require workers to operate in a tech-rich workplace.

Programs

  • Event: The Gurl Code
  • Date & Time: Saturday, November 30, 11:00am
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Get hands-on and learn to code using binary! This workshop combines creativity and coding as participants design personalized friendship bracelets using binary-coded patterns. No coding experience needed! Reserve Your Spot Today!
  • Register Here
  • Event: The Gurl Code
  • Date & Time: Saturday, November 30, 1:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Get hands-on and learn to code using binary! This workshop combines creativity and coding as participants design personalized friendship bracelets using binary-coded patterns. No coding experience needed! Reserve Your Spot Today!
  • Register Here

Favorite Free, Online Resources

  • LinkedIn Learning
    Learn relevant, professional skills on LinkedIn Learning. Your library card gives you free unlimited access to more than 16,000 courses in 7 different languages: English, French, German Japanese, Spanish, Mandarin, and Portuguese. Learn how here.
  • Jobs in Tech 101 from TechPoint
    Explore the Indy tech workforce with this website designed to help demystify what a “tech job” is and what companies are “tech companies.” See day-in-the-life interviews with local tech professionals who work in sales, customer support, product development, and more.
  • Get Certification from FreeCodeCamp
    FreeCodeCamp offers free lessons and certification on in-demand skills and languages including Web Design, Front and Back End Web Development, Python, Data Analysis, and Machine Learning.
  • Not Certain What Language is RIght for You? Try This Quiz
    Quiz results include information about a language and information about what types of companies and jobs use the language.
  • Mozilla’s Web Developer Tutorial
    Mozilla offers tutorials to help at multiple skills levels from complete beginner to building a basic web project or browser extensions.
  • Learn How to Code with CodeCademy
    Codecademy has several free lesson sets. This is a great resource for complete beginners to coding.
  • SQL Murder Mystery
    Learn the basics of SQL, a database query language, while solving a puzzle. This lesson is a fun mix of a playful murder mystery and a solid introduction to basic SQL knowedge.

Get Involved – Organizations in and around Indy

Connect with the community-based organizations who help support adults who are transitioning into a Tech Career

Learn how to use coding languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build a basic website with code.

Title - HTML in Easy StepsTitle - HTML & CSSTitle - Create With CodeTitle - Web Design Playground

tomatoes

The IndyPL Seed Library

Pick up free seeds to start your vegetable, herb, or flower garden free! The IndyPL Seed Library is available at all our locations during regular branch hours from late March through September.  One packet of each type of seed per household. In addition to free seeds, check out resources and attend workshops about growing and using plants from your seeds. We provide materials and programs to make gardening in Indianapolis a doable goal for beginners.

Tune in online for a a Gardening Storytime – a great way to read up on beginning gardening projects for kids. For kids, gardening offers a way to get messy and watch the payoff for their hard work, in the form of growing veggies and beautiful flowers. You can say, “Hey! I grew the thing! Look at the thing that I grew! Isn’t it pretty?” Imagine the Instagram fun!

Programs

Gloved hands planting a garden.
  • Event: Seed Swap
  • Date & Time: Wednesday, December 04, 3:00pm
  • Location: Michigan Road Branch
  • Description: Do you have seeds you would like to share? Perhaps you’re hoping to find some seeds that are new to you. Join in this seed swap – a chance to bring and share seeds with others in the gardening community. You are not required to bring seeds to participate – bring seeds, trade seeds, or take seeds!
  • Register Here
  • Event: West Perry Gardening Group
  • Date & Time: Friday, December 20, 10:15am
  • Location: West Perry Branch
  • Description: Gardens are essentially a place of sharing and gardeners know that we learn a lot from each other–whether you’re just starting or experienced. Sessions will feature seasonal discussions with a local Master Gardener, resources–like our Seed Library–and connections with other gardeners.
  • No Registration Required.

View on Demand

Learn on Demand Video: Seed Saving
Join Anika Williams from the Pike Branch of The Indianapolis Public Library as she harvests milkweed seeds on site and discusses the Seed Library available there.

Reading Recommendations from our Staff

Browse these featured staff book lists to help improve your gardening in Indianapolis skills. See all our gardening book lists here.

Gardening in Indianapolis Resources

Follow Purdue Extension, one of the best ways to learn about gardening in Indiana. Browse their recommended online resources:

Gardening for Kids

Subscribe to NextReads to receive Home, Garden & DIY reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a sample issue. Subscribe to NextReads!

hands typing on keyboard, improving keyboarding skills

Computers have become so prevalent that typing on a keyboard efficiently and accurately has become an essential life skill. Children use computer keyboards in school to do research, type answers, take tests, and create projects. Adults do the same at work writing reports, inputting data, and creating projects. Good keyboarding skills means having all ten fingers and zero eyes on the keyboard. If you would like to improve your keyboarding skills The Library can help!

Online Keyboarding Skills Practice

Library staff recommend these practice tools and games to help improve your skills:

Use Our Computer Labs to Practice Your Skills

If you have difficulty finding time on a keyboard at home, finding uninterrupted practice time at home, or are tutoring or working with someone who needs keyboarding time, keep in mind that all of our locations have computer labs you can use to improve your skills. To get a “turn” on a computer you will need your IndyPL Library card. If you do not have a library card you can use one of our computers by picking up a guest pass at the desk. Or, ask a staff member about how to get a card of your own. We love to help people get a Library card!

Upcoming Library Programs

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During the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 people on Earth will be able to see the Moon partially, or completely, block the Sun. The path of totality – the places where people can see the Moon completely block the Sun, happens to include Indianapolis! You can learn about solar eclipses online, by checking out books or movies from The Library, or by attending one of our programs. We have some great programs and books for kids too!

Pick up a pair of eclipse glasses.

Through a partnership with The Star Network Library, The Indianapolis Public Library will be offering free eclipse glasses to the public beginning March 15, while supples last.  Glasses are available one per person, per visit.

Learn why wearing these glasses is so important to protect your eyes:

Attend a program.

Learn about solar eclipses and how to watch them.

Share the experience with kids.

PBS Kids: Read a Book – Solar Eclipse
Enjoy this video read aloud which tells the story of the British astronomer Arthur Stanley Eddington who decided to test Einstein’s theory of general relativity by photographing the 1919 solar eclipse.

Exploratorium
Find out where to be and what to do for the eclipse experience of a lifetime.

NASA for Kids: What is an Eclipse?

The Planetary Society: Sharing an Eclipse with Kids

Reading Recommendations for Adults

Look to this list for some intriguing science fiction takes on cosmic disasters! These titles include tragic and/or triumphant tales where the threat of the Sun, the Moon, or another space feature impacting Earth causes global catastrophes, and their endings will probably leave you in some kind of existential and/or philanthropic state. Enjoy!

Title - The Twilight ZoneTitle - SunshineTitle - MelancholiaTitle - Life as We Knew It

Total Eclipse and Sky Gazing For Kids

The skies have so much mystery, science, and beauty. Enjoy the list inspired by the total eclipse and the power of our universe. Since the dawn of time, humans have looked up and tried to figure out their place in the world. Let’s all “engage” and journey into space and beyond.

Title - A Few Beautiful MinutesTitle - EclipseTitle - Sky GazingTitle - Totality!

The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax. ~ Albert Einstein. It’s time to file your taxes! Many Library patrons rely on IndyPL for tax forms and filing instruction booklets.

In order to encourage more tax payers to file electronically, both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Indiana State Department of Revenue (DOR) are limiting distribution of paper forms and instructions. Here is what to expect if you come into a Library for tax documents.

  • We have preprinted packets of the most common tax forms and schedule forms for free to patrons – first come, first served and only one packet per patron. (Download PDF Packet)
  • You may use a Library computer to view tax instructions and booklets online, or you can print them on our printers. The first four black-and-white pages printed are free. Each page printed after that will be $0.15 per black-and-white page.
  • We offer a limited number of Federal 1040 and Indiana IT-40 booklets at some branch locations.
  • Library staff cannot help you select or fill out your tax forms.
  • See our Frequently Asked Questions below for more information.

Links to printable tax forms online or by phone:

Tax preparation help:

  • File Federal Taxes Free Online (if income under $79,000)
  • United Way provides MyFreeTaxes.com in partnership with the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to help filers prepare their tax returns on their own or have their return prepared for them for free. You can also call MyFreeTaxes at 866-698-9435 Jan. 24 – Oct. 31.

FAQ Filing Taxes

How do I print documents at The Library?

You can print from indypl.org/printing using the URL of a file, or by uploading a file from your device. You can also easily print from Library computers, or ask a staff member for help.

Can I get free help filing my taxes?

Library staff cannot help fill out forms, but here are some links to local organizations that can help:

See our booklist for suggestions for learning more about filing income taxes.

Where can I find IRA Information?

Do you have a Roth or a Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA)? Use these links to find the latest information on contribution limits and withdrawals.

Explore Indianapolis’s local Black history by browsing through these online portals. Furthermore, delve into digitized newspapers and documents, photo galleries, artifact collections, and other valuable resources. This comprehensive exploration will offer a deeper understanding of the rich heritage and contributions of the Black community in Indianapolis.

Digital Indy Archive

  • Crispus Attucks High School Year Books
    In 1927, Crispus Attucks High School opened its doors as Indianapolis’ first and only all-Black high school. As a result, this establishment represented a groundbreaking milestone in the city’s educational history.
  • Black History, Indianapolis History
    Black history has a deep and enduring presence in Indianapolis, shaping the very fabric of the city. For instance, just six years after its founding, 55 out of the 1,066 total residents were African American (source). Consequently, the vibrant and diverse Black population is an integral part of Indianapolis’s history.
  • Indianapolis Public Library African American History Committee
    Find information here about past AAHC events, lectures, and exhibits. Additionally, view posters, programs, and news items, as well as compilations of African American authors and illustrators. This comprehensive collection offers a rich overview of the AAHC’s contributions and activities.

Encyclopedia of Indianapolis

  • Encyclopedia of Indianapolis: African Americans Collection
    Scroll through numerous articles featuring Black residents, neighborhoods, artists, business people, and more. Additionally, these articles provide a comprehensive look at the diverse contributions of the Black community.
  • Encyclopedia of Indianapolis: African American timeline
    Explore events that formed Indianapolis, from the founding to the present day. Additionally, this exploration will provide insights into how these events have shaped the city’s development and current identity.
  • Encyclopedia of Indianapolis: Indiana Avenue
    Discover the story of Indianapolis’ African American cultural hub. Additionally, explore how this vibrant center has shaped and enriched the city’s cultural landscape.
  • Encyclopedia of Indianapolis Article: Residential Segregation in Indianapolis The housing patterns of Indianapolis, like all American cities, are the result of racially discriminatory real estate practices from the 1920s and governmental policies that began in the 1930s. Consequently, these historical practices have significantly influenced the city’s current housing landscape. Consequently, these historical factors have significantly shaped the city’s current housing landscape. Consequently, these historical factors have shaped the city’s current housing landscape. Even though they changed as a matter of law with the passage of the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, Indianapolis still mirrors the legacy of earlier racially based lending practices and deed restrictions, or covenants, which commonly became known as redlining. Consequently, these historical practices continue to influence the city’s housing landscape. By studying the history of redlining, we can see how the past continues to shape the present. Moreover, this examination reveals the ongoing impact of these historical practices on current housing disparities.

To discover more about fascinating and inspiring Black history makers, visit the Center for Black Literature & Culture at Central Library. Additionally, this Center is dedicated to celebrating the vibrant heritage and remarkable achievements of individuals with African roots. By exploring its exhibits and resources, you will gain deeper insight into their impactful contributions.

Local Black History – Indiana

Indiana Historical Bureau
Being Black in Indiana
It highlights the Ordinance of 1787, Article XIII of the Indiana Constitution of 1851, and the 1816 Constitution. Furthermore, it explores their impact on fleeing enslaved people and Black settlers in the state of Indiana. Furthermore, this examination reveals how these legal frameworks shaped the experiences and challenges faced by these groups.

Indiana Historical Society
Early Black Settlements by County
Explore Early Black Settlements by County, including the town of Bridgeport (Sunnyside or Westview), located in Wayne Township in Marion County. Additionally, this exploration will provide insights into the historical context and development of these communities.

Indiana Historical Society
Mark A. Lee LGBT Photo Collection
Explore the Indiana LGBTQ Collecting Initiative and Digital Image Collection, which features a range of oral history interview excerpts and photographs. Moreover, this collection not only documents LGBTQ experiences but also highlights the contributions of local Indy African American residents. By delving into these resources, you will gain a deeper understanding of both communities’ impact and significance.

Indiana Landmarks
Black Heritage Preservation Program: Combating Erasure of Black History with Eunice Trotter (Slide Presentation)

Indiana Memory Hosted Digital Collections
Urban Displacement and the Making of a University IUPUI (1964-1990)
“You will find correspondence related to property purchases, campus planning documents, assessments of home and business values, abstracts of title, oral histories, and a few items collected by administrators that show community discontent.”

Indiana University’s Portal to Professional Education
Indianapolis African American Heritage
This is a self-paced, FREE online course with no credit offered. Therefore, if you don’t have an IU account, create a free IU Guest account to enroll in the course. Additionally, the course content is offered under a Public Domain, which provides open access to the materials.

Indiana Humanities
Drag Resistance and Worker Solidarity on Indiana Avenue
During the jazz era, Indiana Avenue became the epicenter of Black life in Indianapolis. In addition, it served as a vibrant hub for cultural and social activities. Emerging research into this local history reveals that queer nightlife and culture thrived within Indiana Avenue and the broader Black community. Furthermore, this visibility extended into the jazz clubs and the city sidewalks just outside, highlighting the area’s diverse and dynamic social scene.

IUPUI ScholarWorks
The Female Impersonators of Indiana Avenue: Race, Sexuality, Gender Expression, and the Black Entertainment Industry (1911-1980s)

National Trust for Historic Preservation and Indiana Landmarks
Preserving Black Heritage in Indiana and Beyond with Tiffany Tolbert (Slide Presentation)

WRTV
Black History in Indiana
Stories of Black Hoosiers living and working in Central Indiana offer a rich perspective on their experiences. For example, the clip highlights Lockfield Gardens, showcasing its significance within this narrative.

Local Black History – Indianapolis

African-American Hospitals and Health Care in Early Twentieth Century
Indianapolis, Indiana, 1894-1917 by Norma B. Erickson (2016): Study the Master Thesis on African American nurses, doctors, and images of African American hospitals, such as Ward’s, Lincoln, and Sisters of Charity, in Indianapolis. Furthermore, this research provides an in-depth look into the contributions and challenges faced by these medical professionals in the city.

Hoosier State Chronicles
Digitized African American Newspapers

Indianapolis at the Time of the Great Migration, 1900-1920
Originally published in August 1996 (No. 65) Black History News & Notes, a newsletter of the Indiana Historical Society. It highlights the movement of African Americans from the South to Indianapolis and, furthermore, the different infrastructure, job opportunities, residential segregation, and other inequalities they encountered once they arrived in the city.

Indy Parks
Pride of the Parks Honoring Black Culture Through Indy Parks
List of parks honoring Black Indianapolis residents, contributions, and culture through Indy Parks. View the Pride of the Parks brochure.

Indy Pride
2023 Black History Month LGBTQ+ Community Spotlight
Reflect on the contributions, challenges, and rich history of our Black and African American community members. Furthermore, celebrate the achievements of activists today who continue to lead, create, and envision a better future amidst the ongoing racism in our country.

Invisible Indianapolis
Race, Heritage and Community Memory in the Circle City
Explore a brief history of African American doctors and public health in Indianapolis during the 20th century. Additionally, this overview will shed light on their contributions and challenges faced in the field.

A Neighborhood of Saturdays
It highlights African American and Jewish community history on the Indianapolis Southside. Additionally, it explores the impacts of redlining and the construction of I-70 on these communities.

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New Year’s resolutions- many of us love to make them but very few of us actually complete them. Perhaps it is because we set unrealistic goals or just lack follow through, or maybe it is because we set good intentions without knowing how we can actually achieve our goals and resolutions? This year, set yourself up for success by taking advantage of all the free resources your Indianapolis Public Library offers for a new year, new skills. If your goal is to master sourdough baking or perfect your knife skills, we have classes and books for that. Want to become a runner? We can help with that too! Want to learn a new language, discover a new craft, develop a reading habit, or learn to code? We can help you with all of those things as well. All you need is a resolution and your Library card!

Learn Computer Skills at the Library

We offer a variety of computer, technology, and mobile skill classes. You can also learn how to download and stream with your Library card and get a variety of tips and tricks on our blog at tech & mobile skills.

  • Event: Career Center at Haughville
  • Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 10:30am
  • Location: Haughville Branch
  • Description: Adults needing help with creating a resume, searching for a job or career online, or filling out an online job application are invited to receive free one-on-one assistance.
  • No Registration Required.

Learn a New Craft or Hobby

We offer both free in-person classes and crafting activities and online tutorials through Creativebug. Learn everything from a new painting technique, how to use that Cricut you haven’t gotten out of the box yet, 3D printing, and so much more in the style you prefer!

  • Event: Alphabet Art
  • Date & Time: Thursday, November 21, 10:30am
  • Location: Warren Branch
  • Description: Boost your preschooler’s imagination and letter knowledge through an engaging art project!
  • Register Here
  • Event: Teen Zone
  • Date & Time: Thursday, November 21, 3:45pm
  • Location: Lawrence Branch
  • Description: Hang out with us after school! Teens age 13-18 are welcome to join us for snacks, coloring, video games, and board games.
  • No Registration Required.
  • Event: Swiftly Strung Beading Workshop
  • Date & Time: Thursday, November 21, 4:00pm
  • Location: InfoZone Branch
  • Description: Are you a Taylor Swift Fan? We are! Join us for a fun-filled beading workshop where fans of all ages can create beaded friendship bracelets featuring their favorite song lyrics. Ages 8 – adult. Limit: 2 bracelets per person while supplies last.
  • No Registration Required.

Level Up Your Reading, Listening, or Watching Game

Did you resolve to read more pages, explore audiobooks for the first time, watch a documentary a week, or explore a new genre in 2022? We can help you with all of your reading, watching, or listening resolutions. You don’t need a Spotify, Audible, or Amazon Prime subscription; all you need is your Library card! Looking for a reading challenge to start off the new year? Join our #WakeUpIndy challenge now!

Take an Online Course

Did you know that with your Library card, you have free access to Great Courses through Kanopy? The Great Courses cover Finance, Health, Hobbies, Food and Wine, History, Literature and Language, Math and Science, Music and Fine Arts, Philosophy, Professional and Personal Growth, Travel, Programs for Young Learners, and more. Start learning.

Learn a Language

¿Hablas español? Sprichst du Deutsch? If the answer to either of these questions is no but you would like to, try Mango Languages. Mango is a free language learning website that can also be used on a smartphone as an app. Learn or master a new language without having to pay for Duolingo! Get Started with Mango Languages

Start a Garden

Did you know that we have a seed library? From March-September, you can check out seeds from any seed library location and you don’t even have to return them or the wonderful plants you will grow. We also offer books, classes, and tips to help you develop a green thumb!

Start or Expand a Workout Routine

The most popular New Year’s Resolution is to start or grow an exercise routine. The Library might not be the first place you think about for physical fitness unless you think about lifting heavy books as weights, but did you know that we have hundreds of exercise classes available to check out on DVD or to stream online? We also have a Fit Lit Book Club, Tai Chi classes, and expert staff members who have compiled their favorite exercise information for you.

Cook Something

Explore new recipes, food or beverages from different cultures from around the world or a different region of the United States, check out a food magazine online or even take a plant-based cooking class.

Explore Your Genealogy

Whether you are a first-time family tree maker or an expert researcher, we can help you explore your family heritage through our numerous databases and services. Within our branches, you can access Ancestry Library Edition for free and from anywhere, you can access research databases, newspapers, or even a video course from Kanopy on how to get started learning about your background or Get Genealogy Classes & Research Help.

Get Organized

From Marie Kondo to the Flylady system, organization can take many shapes and forms depending on what your personal style is. Learn about these systems and more ways to clear the clutter for good by picking up one of our staff recommended reads on organization.

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Enhance your digital creativity skills at The Library! Explore a range of opportunities to advance your abilities, including photo, video, and audio editing. Master the art of making presentations look professional and discover innovative ways to showcase your work. Additionally, gain hands-on experience with a 3D printer and much more. Our comprehensive programs offer everything you need to take your digital skills to the next level and bring your creative projects to life.

Workstation Amenities

Looking to enhance your skills in photo editing, video production, audio manipulation, or graphic design? Our Digital Creativity Workstations are available for reservation at both the Eagle Branch and East 38th Street locations. These state-of-the-art workstations provide access to advanced software and equipment, allowing you to bring your creative projects to life. Whether you’re a professional, a student, or a hobbyist, our workstations offer the tools you need to achieve high-quality results and explore new dimensions of digital creativity.

On this workstation you can practice the skills learned during a class, work on an existing project, or pursue self-paced learning with LinkedIn Learning or Adobe’s Built-in Tutorials. The workstation has specialized software to support multimedia projects including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Vegas Pro Video Editor, and more!

A reservation is required.

Improve your skills in one of our classes!

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  • Event: The Gurl Code
  • Date & Time: Saturday, November 30, 11:00am
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Get hands-on and learn to code using binary! This workshop combines creativity and coding as participants design personalized friendship bracelets using binary-coded patterns. No coding experience needed! Reserve Your Spot Today!
  • Register Here
  • Event: The Gurl Code
  • Date & Time: Saturday, November 30, 1:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Get hands-on and learn to code using binary! This workshop combines creativity and coding as participants design personalized friendship bracelets using binary-coded patterns. No coding experience needed! Reserve Your Spot Today!
  • Register Here
  • Event: Cricut Design Space for Beginners
  • Date & Time: Monday, December 09, 2:00pm
  • Location: West Perry Branch
  • Description: This class will guide you step-by-step through Design Space, the software for designing Cricut projects. Explore the Design Space canvas and the functions and tools bringing your designs to life. Learn about the material prep screen and unloading and assembling a beginner-level cut project.
  • Register Here
  • Event: Cricut Design Space for Beginners
  • Date & Time: Saturday, December 14, 10:30am
  • Location: Eagle Branch
  • Description: This class will guide you step-by-step through Design Space, the software for designing Cricut projects. Explore the Design Space canvas and the functions and tools bringing your designs to life. Learn about the material prep screen and unloading and assembling a beginner-level cut project.
  • Register Here
  • Event: 3D Printing at Central Library
  • Date & Time: Monday, December 16, 6:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Adults ages 18 and up are invited to learn the basics of 3D printing from concept to creation using Tinkercad, the S5 Ultimaker, and other 3D printers.
  • No Registration Required.

Adobe Creative Cloud

Bring your creative projects to life with the help of Adobe Creative Cloud, an innovative provider of 20+ creative apps, web services, and resources in photography, UX design, drawing, social media, painting, graphic design, video editing and more, brought to you with newly enhanced AI features.

Title - Photoshop Elements 2022Title - Photoshop ElementsTitle - Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic for DummiesTitle - Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic

Getting started with a Cricut Machine

Cricut machines can cut, write, and score, making it possible to create a wide variety of projects out of all kinds of materials. Learn how to use your machine to its full potential and try out some of these suggested projects!

Title - Easy Cricut CraftsTitle - Cricut Made Easy With Sweet Red PoppyTitle - The Complete Cricut Machine HandbookTitle - The Unofficial Book of Christmas Cricut Crafts

All smartphones and tablets have a set amount of storage space built into them. For some devices the amount can increase, but even when that is possible, there are limits to how much storage space you can add. The amount of storage space your device has controls how many apps and files you can store on it at once. Whether your device has a small amount of smartphone storage space or you just tend to keep a large quantity of files or apps in your storage, it is important to know how much free space you have left.

Why this Skill is Important

Knowing how much free storage space you have left can help you make the best decisions about using your device. Try to avoid situations where you want to install new apps or save new files, but can’t because you don’t have enough free space to hold everything you need. Those situations can lead to making quick decisions about what files or apps to delete in order to make space. Learning to monitor your storage space can help you avoid those kinds of rushed, possibly regrettable decisions.

How to Tell What Takes Up the Most Smartphone Storage Space

Units specific to computer memory are used to measure the storage space on tablets and smartphones. The most common units you will see in reference to your device’s storage space are Kilobytes, Megabytes, and Gigabytes; usually they are abbreviated to KB, MB, and GB.

  • Of these 3 units, a Kilobyte (KB) is the smallest unit.
  • Megabytes (MB) are larger than KB and smaller than GB; 1 MB is equal to 1,024 KB.
  • Gigabytes (GB) are the largest units out of the 3; 1 GB is equal to 1,024 MB.

When trying to decide what files or apps to remove from your device to regain storage space, remember that something that takes up GBs of space is much larger than something that only takes up KBs or MBs of space.

Android

Check your device to see how storage space use. Start by opening your Settings section. Often you can access Settings by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping an icon shaped like a gear. Usually, you can also find a Settings app with the other app icons on your screen. Storage or Internal Storage is the area you need to view. You may need to check under the Device or General headings to find it. You may also be able to use a search bar to easily locate this area by searching for “storage.”

Most Android devices will show you a “progress bar” style graphic or pie chart that shows you visually how storage space use, broken down into various categories such as Apps, Images or Pictures, Video, Audio, and Downloads, with their corresponding amounts of used storage space. Once you know more about what is taking up your storage space, you can make informed choices about what to delete. Many Android devices will make recommendations about what actions you can take to free up storage space. Depending on your device, you may need to locate the list of all installed apps in Settings in order to uninstall whole apps or clear away some of their data. Remove other things like photos, documents, and audio files by opening whichever app you use to view those types of files.

For more help freeing up space on your Android device, check out this guide from Google.

You may be able to gain some extra space by using a microSD card with your Android device. A microSD card is a small, physical piece of storage. It is inserted into a slot on many Android devices. Devices with a microSD card slot can use microSD cards as portable, removable storage for many types of files such as photos. Many devices can also use microSD cards as internal storage. Be sure to check what options will be compatible with your Android device before purchasing a microSD card!

iPhone

iPhones do not have expandable internal storage. This is one of the major differences between iPhones and Android smartphones.

To learn more about your iPhone’s storage space use, open Settings, then tap General, and finally, tap iPhone Storage. This screen will show you a chart of your total storage space used, broken down by category. If you are near your storage limit, your iPhone will have recommendations for actions you could take to increase your available storage space.

Below the chart, you will see a list of apps showing the total amount of storage each one is using. Tapping on each app in this list will show you the options for managing that app’s storage space. Some apps may have specific, storage-saving recommendations. Apps that can be deleted give you the option to offload the app or delete it. Offloading removes the app from your device’s storage, but keeps any data the app may be storing. This means that if you install the offloaded app again in the future, your phone will still be able to access any personalized information that the app has created. If you are often out of smartphone storage space offload infrequently used apps in order to free up space.

For more help managing your iPhone’s storage, check out this guide from Apple.

Smartphone Basics

Use the recommended titles here to explore the features of your smartphone. Whether you have an Android or an iPhone, these recent books can help you learn to make your device work best for you! Many of the skills and topics covered here would also apply to Android tablets and iPads.

Title - Android SmartphonesTitle - IPhoneTitle - Android Smartphones for SeniorsTitle - My IPhone for SeniorsTitle - IPhone for SeniorsTitle - How Are Smartphones Made and Sold?Title - AndroidTitle -

Automated resume readers often “read” your resume before a real person ever does. If not properly formatted your resume may never be viewed by a person at all. This is because most employers use a tool called an Applicant Tracking System or “ATS,” which helps them to automatically decide whether or not someone is qualified for a job opening. While automated resume readers make things easier for employers, these systems can make getting hired much harder! These systems do not rely on the quality of your resume, but instead cares more about your word choice and the formatting of the resume document. This means that you can have a high quality resume, but if the system does not like your formatting, you are less likely to be called for an interview. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help your resume survive ATS!

Solution: Formatting

One of the most important considerations is your resume’s formatting— what it looks like and what kind of layout you are using. There are many resume templates out there that look great, but they break a lot of the rules that automated resume readers use to “read” your document. Here are some tips about what to avoid and what you should do when it comes to formatting your resume:

What to Include:

  • Use standard section heading words. Most resumes are organized with section headings like Skills, Work Experience, Education, and more. It may be tempting to get creative with your section headings, but it is not a good idea. For example, if you label your Education section as “My Adventures in Learning,” you are increasing the chances that the ATS will not understand that this section is about your education and it could leave all of those qualifications out of your application.
  • When describing your work experience, always list your job title before you list the dates you worked in that job. You should develop a consistent pattern: list your job title, then the company where you worked, and lastly, the dates that you held the job.
  • Stick to using one “normal,” font that is easy to read like Arial, Tahoma, or Verdana. Do not use “fun” or “fancy” fonts for a resume. Do not mix different fonts together on one resume.
  • Use simple bullet points for any bulleted lists. Microsoft Word allows you to customize bullet points, but using nonstandard symbols in place of simple dots or squares increases the chances that the ATS will not read the list correctly.

What to Avoid

  • Avoid using columns or tables. If you use a template, make sure the template is not based on a table. How can you tell if your template contains a table? Tables make moving elements and adding text in a resume difficult. If your resume is hard to change, it might incorporate a table. If your resume is a Microsoft Word document, you can click in your resume text and if you see a Table Tools section appear at the top of the ribbon, your resume contains a table.
  • Avoid using special characters and symbols. Don’t use things like #, &, or ! . Don’t insert other symbols from Microsoft Word’s Symbol menu or create lines to divide your resume’s sections.
  • Do not use any pictures or graphics; not even tiny ones.
  • Do not use headers or footers in your document. Not all ATS systems can read them correctly, so placing important info in those spots is a bad idea.

Solution: Keywords

Another important thing to think about are keywords. Automated resume readers heavily use keywords to decide which resumes are good matches for job postings, so you need to match the words in your resume to the most important words used in the job description. Read the job description to decide what the most important words are and try to figure out how you can use those same words to describe your work experience and skills. How do you decide which words are these important keywords? Often, keywords are the required skills that are repeated the most in the job description.

You are trying to prove to a robot that you are the best match for the job opening, so you need to use a lot of the same words to describe yourself that the employer uses to describe the job. Here are some tips for using keywords:

  • If you have a professional title, be sure to include it on your resume on the line underneath your name. This is especially important if your title matches the job description.
  • Use important keywords multiple times across multiple sections of your resume. Try to place them into your job descriptions as well as your list of skills.
  • Use keywords in context and make sure that you are accurately describing your work by using the employer’s words.

This system means that you really should customize your resume for each job application. Of course, this can take a lot of time, but it gives you a better chance at getting the job than using the same resume for every opening.

Important Tips

  • Upload your resume in an ATS compatible file format! Most applications will ask you to use specific file formats. Do not use PDF unless it is the only option the application gives you because ATS often has trouble reading PDF files. Microsoft Word documents (.doc or .docx) are a good choice.
  • Apply to open jobs as soon as possible! It is important to apply to job postings as soon as you can, rather than waiting for the deadline. Sometimes ATS will ignore applications if there is a limit to how many people can apply. So you might be able to complete an application, but if the applicant pool is already filled up, you may not be considered.
  • Use tools to help you beat the system! Jobscan.com will tell you how well your resume matches the job description of the job you want. Word cloud generators, like WordClouds.com, can help you identify the most frequently repeated words in a job posting. Copy and paste the job description into the generator and look for the largest words.

Resume Tune-Up Books to Check Out with your Library Card

Looking for help creating a new—or strengthening an existing—resume? This list highlights a variety of resume writing resources that can help you communicate who you are and what you have to offer. It also includes an invitation to sign up for an online appointment with an IndyPL Career Center Assistant.

Title - ResumesTitle - The Perfect ResumeTitle - Modernize your ResumeTitle - Before and After ResumesTitle - Tell Me About YourselfTitle - 1,001 Phrases You Need to Get A JobTitle - Cracking the New Job MarketTitle - How to Write the Perfect Federal Job Résumé & Résumé Cover Letter

Phone and tablet devices connect to the Internet almost anywhere through cellular data or nearby Wi-Fi. What’s the difference between cellular data and Wi-Fi? Mobile phone services provide cellular data through their data plans. You can access the internet anywhere there is a phone signal using cellular data. Wi-Fi connects wirelessly to the internet based on a device’s location. A device can connect to Wi-Fi at home or in public places like libraries, stores, or restaurants.

Why is knowing the differences between Wi-Fi and mobile cellular data important?

Tasks like downloading new apps, sending/receiving email, or making video calls require access to the internet.

Many cellular data plans only give a certain amount of cellular data per month. Additionally, plans may charge extra for exceeding the plan’s cellular data limit.

In contrast, while connected to Wi-Fi you can use the Internet as much as you want without using any of the mobile data included in your plan.

Knowing when to use both kinds of connections and how to switch between them can save money. It is also good to know that options in “Settings” show how much monthly cellular data has been used.

Wi-Fi

Generally, an icon at the top of the screen indicates whether your device’s Wi-Fi is turned on or off. The image on the right is a commonly used Wi-Fi symbol.

Open Settings to adjust your device’s Wi-Fi connections. From the list of potential options, choose which Wi-Fi network to connect to. You will need to enter a password to connect to a locked Wi-Fi network. You do not need to enter a password to enter an unlocked Wi-Fi network.

Manually connect to Wi-Fi networks the first time you use them. Later, if you are near a Wi-Fi network you have used in the past, your device may automatically connect to it.

Use Wi-Fi rather than mobile cellular data for tasks like downloading apps and streaming video/audio. Doing this will help you use less of your mobile cellular data each month.

Mobile Cellular Data

Access mobile cellular data controls from “Settings.” Turn cellular data on and off by flipping a switch button between these two choices.

Your device will be unable to connect to the internet if you are not connected to Wi-Fi and your cellular data is off. Turn mobile cellular data back on to use the internet when you are out of range of Wi-Fi.

Mobile cellular data can be used to create a “hotspot” that other devices, such as laptops, can use to connect to the internet. Access this option from “Settings.” Some mobile cellular data providers charge more for this option. Remember that using your mobile cellular data as a hotspot access point for other devices counts toward your monthly cellular data usage!

Android

On an Android device, adjust Wi-Fi and mobile cellular data controls from “Settings.” Different brands of Android devices organize these controls in different ways. You may see options for Wi-Fi or cellular data right away once you open “Settings,” but if not, look under a category like “Network and Internet” or “Connections.”

To quickly adjust Wi-Fi controls, swipe down from the top of the screen.

For more help and tips, check out these support topics from Google.

Apple

Adjust Wi-Fi and mobile cellular data controls from “Settings.” Tap Wi-Fi or Cellular to make changes to either option.

To quickly adjust Wi-Fi controls on an iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

Adjust your Wi-Fi controls on an iPad by swiping down from the top-right edge of the screen.

For more help with Wi-Fi, check out these instructions from Apple.

For more help with mobile cellular data, check out these instructions from Apple.

Want to learn more? See our listing of online classes to level up your tech and mobile skills.

As a virtual volunteer you can identify new solar systems, watch and report on owl nesting activity, translate for refugees, put the world’s vulnerable people on the map, or transcribe oral history of the Grand Canyon! Each of these and hundreds more volunteer opportunities are ways you can support a cause virtually. In short, you can volunteer virtually, using a smartphone, tablet, or computer, for as little or as much time as you would like. Becoming a virtual volunteer is easy! Here’s how!

Looking for Local Opportunities to Volunteer Virtually?

Volunteer Opportunities from All Over:

  • Be a Citizen Scientist! Visit Zooniverse to discover projects organized by interest area: arts, biology, climate, history, language, literature, medicine, nature, physics and social science. Activities range from quick counting tasks, like counting how many sea lions you see in a picture, identifying kelp forests, or more in-depth activities like transcribing documents such as anti-slavery manuscripts from the 19th century or translating Hebrew or Arabic documents from the middle ages. Projects change as they are completed and added. Learn how to satisfy academic community service with Zooniverse here.
  • Share Career Advice! CareerVillage is a community where students can get free personalized career advice from real-life professionals. Answer questions about education and career choices from students from around the world. Signup is quick and easy. Pop on when you have time to quickly answer questions posted through the Career Village webpage.
  • Help Map Underserved Areas on Missingmaps.org. Help map areas where humanitarian organizations are trying to meet the needs of vulnerable people. In three easy steps, you can provide information for disaster relief organizations.

Didn’t find what interests you? Check out these resources for more ideas:

  • VolunteerMatch.org Search over thousands of virtual volunteer opportunities. Find the one that sparks your interest.
  • Catchafire.org Use your professional skills to make an impact on a mission driven organization – one hour call or full-length projects.
  • Project Gutenberg Proofread public domain books page-by-page to have them converted to digital format.
  • Grandcanyonhitory.org Transcribe oral history of people living and working in and around the Grand Canyon.
  • Oldweather.org Document old weather patterns from the 1880’s ship logs to predict future climate.
  • Tarjim.ly Provide on-demand language translation for refugees in need of humanitarian assistance.
  • Learningally.org Create audiobooks for students with learning differences and college students who are blind or visually impaired.

A note about community service hours:

If you need proof of service for school, court, or service organization, virtual volunteering may not be the best option. Check with the opportunity organizer to verify that they can confirm your hours.

Whatever you choose, know that you are supporting the efforts of an organization to move their mission forward. For that, thank you!

Would you like to learn about more volunteering opportunities?

If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities for you or a group, please contact us or call the Library’s Volunteer Resources Office at 317-275-4046. Learn more about volunteering opportunities at The Library.

If you are a serious researcher, curious traveler, or proud resident, these links will help you explore Indiana and Indianapolis from collections of digitized photos and artifacts to letters, old newspapers articles, and more. Browse them from home or take an afternoon to visit the Indianapolis Special Collections Room at Central Library where you will find all things Indiana and Indianapolis complete with a beautiful sixth floor view of downtown Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Public Library Resources

Digital Indy Archives: Yearbooks, arts organizations, civic organizations, public safety, neighborhoods, newsmagazines all accessible online.

Hoosier State Chronicles
250+ scanned and searchable newspapers from every county in Indiana, with the earliest starting in 1804.

Indianapolis Star (1903-2004)
A full-text version of the Indianapolis Star from 1903-1922 including photographs, ads, obituaries, and marriage announcements.

Indianapolis Star (1991-Present)
Full-text coverage from the Indianapolis Star back to 1991, including obituaries, but excluding paid advertisements and freelance writers.

Recommendations about Indiana and Reading Recommendations about Indianapolis
IndyPL Staff Reading Recommendations cover history, sports, art, nature, hoosier authors, and more.

Local Newspapers

  • Central Library has Indianapolis newspapers on microfilm from about 1822 to the present. You may access the microfilm collection in person during library hours.
  • Indianapolis Star (1903-2004) A full-text version of the Indianapolis Star from 1903-1922 including photographs, ads, obituaries, and marriage announcements.
  • Indianapolis Star (1991-Present) Full-text coverage from the Indianapolis Star back to 1991, including obituaries, but excluding paid advertisements and freelance writers.
  • Indianapolis Star ProQuest Online Database: Access 1903-present via indypl.org with a library card.
  • The Weekly View Published be Eastside Voice Community News Media for 24 zip codes in from Downtown Indy East to Greenfield, North to Lawrence, Geist, and Broad Ripple, and South to Beech Grove, New Pal & Southport.
  • La Voz de Indiana La Voz de Indiana Bilingual Newspaper serves all communities by concentrating on the Hispanic and American markets. As the “only” bilingual publication in the state of Indiana , La Voz is published in both Spanish and English. Their goals are to Embrace Diversity by promoting understanding and improve communication between people.
  • The Free Soil Banner The Free Soil Banner was published in Indianapolis from 1848 to 1854. Other cities had newspapers by the same name, but the Indiana version was edited by Lew Wallace and William B. Greer, and reportedly funded by Ovid Butler, the founder of North Western Christian University, later renamed Butler University.

Museums

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Archive
Physical Collection: Photos and historic documents pertaining to Indianapolis history.
Digital Collection: 1,000 artifacts from the museum. Selected objects range from Social Studies to Science to Geography with a particular emphasis on Indiana.

Indiana Medical History Museum
Physical Collection: The foremost institution in the region for medical history interpretation and preservation.

Indianapolis Firefighters’ Museum
Physical Collection: Indianapolis fire service history through exhibits, photographs, artifacts, log books, and more.
Digital Collection: Materials include photographs, logbooks, yearbooks, scrapbooks and other items the Museum has collected over the years.

Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newsfields
Stout Reference Library and Archives
Physical Collection: Indiana Artist Files, history of Oldfields estate, Art Association of Indianapolis to Newfields history, various arts-related manuscript collections.
discovernewfields.org/research/libraries | discovernewfields.org/archives
Digital Collection: Selections from online manuscript collections.

Indianapolis Resources

Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
Physical Collection: Physical collection detailing the life of the 23rd President of the United States.
Digital Collection

Historic Indianapolis
Online Blog: A blog about historic events in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Long Ago
Facebook Group: Photos and history from fans of Indianapolis history.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
Digital Collection: All things Indianapolis police history in photographs, video, and artifacts including arrest logs from the early 1900s, information about some of the very first policewomen, mug shots from the turn of the century, IPD personnel records, and video footage of Indianapolis policing from the 1980s and 1990s.

Indy Nostalgia
Facebook Group: Photos and history from fans of Indianapolis history.

Invisible Indianapolis
Online Blog: Research blog detailing race, heritage, and community memory in Indianapolis.

Irvington Historical Society
Physical Collection: Property, school and family records related to Greater Irvington.

State Resources

Indiana Album
Digital Collection: Images from private collections across the state; based in Indianapolis.

Hoosier State Chronicles
Digital Collection: Newspaper from across Indiana. Indianapolis papers include: Recorder, Sentinel, News, Daily Herald, Journal, Leader.

Indiana Historical Society
Physical Collection: Physical collections of print materials, photographs, Digital Collection: Bass Photograph Collection, Civil War, correspondence, clubs.

Indiana Landmarks
Physical Collection: Preserving the built environment of Indiana.

Indiana Memory Digital Collection: Aggregator of statewide digital collections.

Indiana State Archives
Physical Collection: City records, land records, neighborhood records, meeting minutes, etc.

Indiana State Library
Physical Collection: Genealogy and Rare Books and Manuscripts Finding Aids | Manuscript Catalog.
Digital Collection: Photographs, maps, manuscripts, broadsides, pamphlets, periodicals, government documents, genealogy materials.
Digital Collection: Indiana State Library Historical Bureau; Indiana State Historical Markers on a variety of Marion County topics.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Online Database: Database of historic properties and cemeteries within Indianapolis.

Colleges & Universities

Butler University
Digital Collection: Materials from Butler University Special Collections and Archives.

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Digital Collections: Speedway, Benjamin Harrison presidential site, LGBTQ+, City Directories, Sanborn Maps, Crispus Attucks Museum.

Other Community Resources

National Historic Geographic Information System (NHGIS)
Digital Collection: Historic census tract-level census data available in GIS formats.

The Polis Center
Online Databases: Data visualization, aggregation, statistics and informational databases.

UIndy Mayoral Archives
Digital Collection: Includes archives for L. Keith Bulen, Richard G. Lugar, William H. Hudnutt, Stephen Goldsmith.